Springfield, Massachusetts |
Springfield is a city in the western part of the State of Massachusetts. It is
the county seat of Hampden County6. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total
population of 152,082. But a July 1, 2002
Census estimate put the city's population at 151,915. Nevertheless, this is the largest
(and also historically the first) city called Springfield in the United
States. It is also the largest city on the Connecticut River
and the third largest city in Massachusetts.
Springfield houses three colleges: Springfield College, Western New England College and American
International College.
The area is served by Bradley
International Airport in nearby Windsor
Locks, Connecticut. Springfield also has an Amtrak station, where one can take
trains destined to Washington, DC, Boston, Vermont or
Chicago.
It is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
History
Springfield was first settled in 1636 and was officially incorporated that same
year.
Geography
Springfield is located at 42°6'45" North, 72°32'51" West (42.112411, -72.547455)1.
According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 86.0 km˛ (33.2 mi˛). 83.1 km˛ (32.1 mi˛) of it is land and 2.8 km˛ (1.1 mi˛) of it is water. The
total area is 3.31% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 152,082
people, 57,130 households, and 36,391 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,829.3/km˛ (4,737.7/mi˛). There are 61,172 housing units at an average density of
735.8/km˛ (1,905.6/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 56.11% White, 21.01% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.92%
Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 16.45% from other races, and 4.04% from two or more races.
27.18% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 57,130 households out of which 33.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples
living together, 23.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% are non-families. 30.2% of all households are
made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57
and the average family size is 3.19.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from
45 to 64, and 12.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 89.4 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,417, and the median income for a family is $36,285. Males have a median
income of $32,396 versus $26,536 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,232. 23.1% of the population and 19.3% of
families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 33.9% are under the age of 18 and 11.7% are 65 or
older.
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