Westhampton, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Westhampton is a town
in Hampshire County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 1,607 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, was chosen to be the town's first minister []
Westhampton is one of 18 'dry' towns in the Commonwealth, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited within its boundaries. []
The town is home to the 5 district Hampshire Regional High School
.
the town has a total area of 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²), of which 27.1 square miles (70.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. Westhampton is bordered by Southampton to the south, Huntington to the west, Chesterfield to the northwest, Williamsburg to the northeast, Northampton to the east, and Easthampton to the southeast.
of 2000, there were 1,468 people, 542 households, and 422 families residing in the town. The population density
was 54.1 people per square mile (20.9/km²). There were 623 housing units at an average density of 23.0 per square mile (8.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.50% White, 0.34% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.27% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 542 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,089, and the median income for a family was $66,625. Males had a median income of $42,200 versus $35,809 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $25,360. About 1.9% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
The 2008 Presidential election was held solely at the Westhampton Town Hall. Of the 1,095 votes cast, 62% were for Sen. Barack Obama, in contrast to the 37% of votes that were cast for Sen. John McCain. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/county/#val=MAP00p33
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Hampshire County
Hampshire County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,607 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
.
History
Westhampton was first settled in 1762. Originally part of Northampton, Westhampton was officially incorporated on September 29, 1778. The first town meeting was held on November 19, 1778, at which the Reverend Enoch Hale, brother of American spy Nathan HaleNathan Hale
Nathan Hale was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British...
, was chosen to be the town's first minister []
Westhampton is one of 18 'dry' towns in the Commonwealth, meaning that the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited within its boundaries. []
The town is home to the 5 district Hampshire Regional High School
Hampshire Regional High School
Hampshire Regional High School is a regional secondary school in Westhampton, Massachusetts for students in grades 7–12. The school has approximately 1000 students from the towns of Westhampton, Southampton, Williamsburg, Goshen, and Chesterfield...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
the town has a total area of 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²), of which 27.1 square miles (70.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. Westhampton is bordered by Southampton to the south, Huntington to the west, Chesterfield to the northwest, Williamsburg to the northeast, Northampton to the east, and Easthampton to the southeast.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,468 people, 542 households, and 422 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 54.1 people per square mile (20.9/km²). There were 623 housing units at an average density of 23.0 per square mile (8.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.50% White, 0.34% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.27% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 542 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,089, and the median income for a family was $66,625. Males had a median income of $42,200 versus $35,809 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $25,360. About 1.9% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
The 2008 Presidential election was held solely at the Westhampton Town Hall. Of the 1,095 votes cast, 62% were for Sen. Barack Obama, in contrast to the 37% of votes that were cast for Sen. John McCain. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/county/#val=MAP00p33
Notable residents
- Adam DutkiewiczAdam DutkiewiczAdam Jonathan Dutkiewicz is an American musician, recording engineer and music producer, best known as a guitarist and backup vocalist from Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage.-Biography:...
, guitarist of metalcore band Killswitch EngageKillswitch EngageKillswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
. - Mordicai GersteinMordicai GersteinMordicai Gerstein, born November 24, 1935 in Los Angeles, California is an American artist, writer, and film director, best known for illustrating and writing children's books....
, children's book illustrator
External links
- MHC Survey Reconnaissance Town Report: Westhampton Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1982.