Belchertown, Massachusetts
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Belchertown is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 12,968.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Belchertown, please see the article Belchertown (CDP), Massachusetts.
History
Belchertown was first settled in 1731 and was officially incorporated in 1761.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 143.4 km² (55.4 mi²). 136.6 km² (52.7 mi²) of it is land and 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.77% water.
Belchertown now contains a portion of Enfield, Massachusetts, one of the four towns that was disincorporated in 1938 to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density is 95.0/km² (245.9/mi²). There are 5,050 housing units at an average density of 37.0/km² (95.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.14% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 1.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,886 households out of which 38.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% are married couples living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% are non-families. 20.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.09.
In the town the population is spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $52,467, and the median income for a family is $60,830. Males have a median income of $39,656 versus $30,909 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,938. 5.9% of the population and 5.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.1% of those under the age of 18 and 4.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.