Ware (town), Massachusetts
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Ware is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 9,707.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Ware, please see the article Ware (CDP), Massachusetts.
History
Ware was first settled in 1717 and was officially incorporated in 1775.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 103.5 km² (40.0 mi²). 89.1 km² (34.4 mi²) of it is land and 14.4 km² (5.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 13.93% water.
Ware now contains portions of Enfield and Greewich, Massachusetts, two of the four towns that were disincorporated in 1938 to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 9,707 people, 4,027 households, and 2,597 families residing in the town. The population density is 108.9/km² (282.1/mi²). There are 4,336 housing units at an average density of 48.7/km² (126.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.49% White, 0.55% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,027 households out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% are non-families. 29.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $36,875, and the median income for a family is $45,505. Males have a median income of $37,462 versus $25,733 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,908. 11.2% of the population and 8.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.