Plainfield, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Plainfield, Massachusetts
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A plain field in Plainfield, Massachusetts
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Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Massachusetts | ||
| County | Hampshire | ||
| Settled | 1770 | ||
| Incorporated | 1807 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 21.3 sq mi (55.1 km2) | ||
| • Land | 21.1 sq mi (54.5 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,676 ft (511 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 633 | ||
| • Density | 29.72/sq mi (11.488/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
01070, 01026
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| Area code(s) | 413 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-54030 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0618206 | ||
Plainfield is a small town located in the western part of Massachusetts, United States. It sits on the northwestern edge of Hampshire County. Plainfield is about 25 miles east of Pittsfield and 30 miles northwest of Northampton. In 2020, about 633 people lived there. It is part of the larger Springfield area.
Contents
Plainfield's Past: A Look at History
Plainfield was first settled in 1770. Many of the first settlers came from a town called Bridgewater. It became an official district within the town of Cummington in 1785. Later, on June 15, 1807, Plainfield officially became its own town. It is the newest town in Hampshire County.
How Plainfield's Economy Changed
In the 1800s, Plainfield was a busy farming community. People mainly raised sheep and produced leather. But around the 1870s, things changed. With the invention of the steamship, it became much cheaper to bring sheep and leather from far-off places like Australia and New Zealand. This made farming in Plainfield less profitable, and many people moved away. The town's population went down a lot over the next few decades.
Plainfield During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, 61 men from Plainfield joined the Union Army. Six of these men sadly died during the war or because of their service. One of them was Michael Bashaw, who passed away from an illness during the Battle of Wilson's Creek. After the war, many of the soldiers who survived decided to settle in other places.
Plainfield's Recent Growth
After more than 100 years of its population shrinking, Plainfield has started to grow again. Since 1950, more people have chosen to live in this quiet town.
Plainfield's Location and Natural Features
Plainfield is located in a beautiful area known as the Berkshire Highlands. This is where Hampshire County meets its neighbors, Franklin and Berkshire Counties. Plainfield is one of the "Hilltowns" in Western Massachusetts.
Plainfield's Elevation and Size
The town sits high up, about 1,620 feet (511 meters) above sea level. The highest points in Hampshire County are the peaks of West Mountain, which are 2,125 feet (648 meters) high and located in Plainfield.
The town covers a total area of about 21.3 square miles (55.1 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 21.0 square miles (54.5 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers), is water.
Rivers and Borders
Plainfield is important because its waterways are the starting points for two major rivers: the Westfield River and the Deerfield River.
Plainfield shares its borders with several other towns. These include Cummington, Ashfield, Hawley, Savoy, and Windsor.
Who Lives in Plainfield?
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 814 | — |
| 1860 | 639 | −21.5% |
| 1870 | 521 | −18.5% |
| 1880 | 457 | −12.3% |
| 1890 | 435 | −4.8% |
| 1900 | 404 | −7.1% |
| 1910 | 406 | +0.5% |
| 1920 | 332 | −18.2% |
| 1930 | 300 | −9.6% |
| 1940 | 264 | −12.0% |
| 1950 | 228 | −13.6% |
| 1960 | 237 | +3.9% |
| 1970 | 287 | +21.1% |
| 1980 | 425 | +48.1% |
| 1990 | 571 | +34.4% |
| 2000 | 589 | +3.2% |
| 2010 | 648 | +10.0% |
| 2020 | 633 | −2.3% |
| 2022 | 629 | −0.6% |
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2000, there were 589 people living in Plainfield. These people made up 243 households and 166 families. The town had about 28 people per square mile.
Plainfield's Population Makeup
Most of the people in Plainfield were White (98.13%). A small number were Native American (0.34%), Asian (0.17%), or from two or more races (1.36%). About 0.68% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
Out of the 243 households, about 31.3% had children under 18 living with them. Most households (60.9%) were married couples living together. About 25.9% of all households were made up of people living alone. The average household had 2.42 people, and the average family had 2.92 people.
Age Distribution
The population of Plainfield is spread out by age. About 24.8% of residents were under 18. About 12.9% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 42 years.
Famous People from Plainfield
Plainfield has been home to several notable people throughout history:
- John Brown (1800–1859) – A famous abolitionist who worked to end slavery.
- William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) – A well-known poet and thinker.
- Ralph Ellison – An African-American novelist and writer.
- James Naismith – The person who invented the sport of basketball.
- Charles Dudley Warner (born 1829) – An author and editor.
- Marcus Whitman (1802–1847) – A missionary and doctor.
Places to Visit in Plainfield
If you visit Plainfield, here are some interesting spots:
- Plainfield Pond
- Deer Hill State Reservation
- Dubuque Memorial State Forest
- Shaw Hudson House – A museum and historical home.
- Old Millers site – This is where one of the old mills used to be. The Plainfield Historical Society looks after it.
Images for kids
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Plainfield Congregational Church
See also
In Spanish: Plainfield (Massachusetts) para niños
