West Brookfield (town), Massachusetts
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West Brookfield is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,804. Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, and Noah Webster published his dictionary there.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place West Brookfield, please see the article West Brookfield (CDP), Massachusetts.
History
West Brookfield was first settled in 1664 and was officially incorporated in 1848.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 54.7 km² (21.1 mi²). 53.0 km² (20.5 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.03% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 3,804 people, 1,362 households, and 965 families residing in the town. The population density is 71.8/km² (185.8/mi²). There are 1,534 housing units at an average density of 28.9/km² (74.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.16% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,362 households out of which 33.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% are non-families. 23.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 3.01.
In the town the population is spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $49,722, and the median income for a family is $58,750. Males have a median income of $41,211 versus $29,783 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,501. 6.8% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.