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Chesterfield, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Chesterfield, Massachusetts
Chesterfield Post Office
Chesterfield Post Office
Official seal of Chesterfield, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts
Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Hampshire
Settled 1760
Incorporated 1762
Government
 • Type Open town meeting
Area
 • Total 31.2 sq mi (80.9 km2)
 • Land 30.8 sq mi (79.9 km2)
 • Water 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation
1,427 ft (435 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,186
 • Density 37.97/sq mi (14.660/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
01012
Area code(s) 413
FIPS code 25-13590
GNIS feature ID 0618197

Chesterfield is a rural hill town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, 26 miles (42 km) east of Pittsfield and 90 miles (140 km) west of Boston. The population was 1,186 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Chesterfield was first settled in 1760 and was officially incorporated in 1762. It was named after the Earl of Chesterfield. The town center, established after the Revolution, has well-preserved Federal Period houses along Main Road. In its early days, the town supported a largely agricultural economy, with wool from Merino sheep as a major product. However, there were sawmills and tanneries in operation as well as cloth dressing mills, and in the early 19th century these superseded farming and brought in a small immigrant population that was mostly Irish. Progress wiped out most of the industry in Chesterfield and by the start of the 20th century a re-emerging agricultural economy developed alongside the growing trade from summer residents.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.3 square miles (81 km2), of which 31.1 square miles (81 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.61%) is water. Chesterfield's location is nearly equidistant from the northern, southern and western state lines of Massachusetts.

Chesterfield is located 52 miles (84 km) north of Hartford, Connecticut, 108 miles (174 km) west of Boston, 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Springfield, 64 miles (103 km) southeast of Albany, New York, 26 miles (42 km) east of Pittsfield, and 160 miles (260 km) northeast of New York City.

Points of interest

Demographics

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1850 1,014 —    
1860 897 −11.5%
1870 811 −9.6%
1880 769 −5.2%
1890 608 −20.9%
1900 611 +0.5%
1910 536 −12.3%
1920 441 −17.7%
1930 420 −4.8%
1940 422 +0.5%
1950 496 +17.5%
1960 556 +12.1%
1970 704 +26.6%
1980 1,000 +42.0%
1990 1,048 +4.8%
2000 1,201 +14.6%
2010 1,222 +1.7%
2020 1,186 −2.9%

At the 2000 census, there were 1,201 people, 447 households and 324 families residing in the town. The population density was 38.6 per square mile (14.9/km2). There were 524 housing units at an average density of 16.8 per square mile (6.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.67% White, 0.25% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.08% of the population.

There were 447 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. Of all households, 18.8% were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.09.

Of the population 25.7% were under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median household income was $49,063 and the median family income was $57,361. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $27,788 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,220. About 3.4% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Chesterfield is part of the Hampshire Regional School District along with Goshen, Southampton, Westhampton, and Williamsburg. Students attend K–6 at New Hingham Regional Elementary School along with Goshen, and 7–12 students attend Hampshire Regional High School.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chesterfield (Massachusetts) para niños

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