Chicopee, Massachusetts
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Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,653.
Chicopee is home to Westover Air Force Base, built in 1940. With its huge runways, it is a backup landing site for the Space Shuttle. Elms College is located in Chicopee.
Chicopee has a large Polish community. The Chicopee Provision Company is a major producer of Polish kielbasa under the Blue Seal brand. Chicopee also held an annual kielbasa festival until the mid 1990s, at which the World's Largest Kielbasa was proudly unveiled.
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History
Chicopee was settled in 1640, but was a part of Springfield, Massachusetts until 1848.
In the 19th century it was noted for its cotton mills, woolen mills, brass foundries and iron foundries. The Ames Manufacturing Company made many machines and bronze cannons, and more swords than any other manufacturer in the U.S. at the time.
Geography
Chicopee is located at 42°10'13" North, 72°35'19" West (42.170159, -72.588630)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 61.9 km² (23.9 mi²). 59.2 km² (22.9 mi²) of it is land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.31% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 54,653 people, 23,117 households, and 14,147 families residing in the city. The population density is 922.7/km² (2,389.7/mi²). There are 24,424 housing units at an average density of 412.3/km² (1,067.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 89.82% White, 2.28% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.90% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. 8.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 23,117 households out of which 26.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 14.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% are non-families. 32.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,672, and the median income for a family is $44,136. Males have a median income of $35,585 versus $25,975 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,646. 12.3% of the population and 9.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.5% of those under the age of 18 and 9.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Chicopee City Hall (http://www.chicopee.ma.us/index.htm)