Stockbridge, Massachusetts
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Stockbridge is a town located in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,276. It is the setting for Arlo Guthrie's song "Alice's Restaurant", and home to the non-profit Berkshire Botanical Garden.
History
Stockbridge was first settled in 1734 and was officially incorporated in 1739. The painter Norman Rockwell lived and did much of his most famous work in Stockbridge. In fact, the Norman Rockwell museum is located in Stockbridge today. Stockbridge was also the home to Mombet late in life. A slave freed via the underground railroad, Mombet worked in the household of the Massachusetts statesman Judge Sedgwick. She is buried in Stockbridge's downtown cemetery.
The town was the location of the Stockbridge Indians, who were forced to leave in spite of assistance provided to the American cause during the Revolutionary War and other occasions.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 61.4 km² (23.7 mi²). 59.4 km² (22.9 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.25% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 2,276 people, 991 households, and 567 families residing in the town. The population density is 38.3/km² (99.2/mi²). There are 1,571 housing units at an average density of 26.4/km² (68.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.92% White, 1.23% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 0.35% from two or more races. 2.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 991 households out of which 18.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% are married couples living together, 6.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% are non-families. 36.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.06 and the average family size is 2.67.
In the town the population is spread out with 15.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 49 years. For every 100 females there are 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $48,571, and the median income for a family is $59,556. Males have a median income of $32,500 versus $27,969 for females. The per capita income for the town is $32,499. 8.5% of the population and 1.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.2% of those under the age of 18 and 4.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.