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| Princeton, Massachusetts | |||
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| Town | |||
Town Common in Princeton, MA
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 Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts. |
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Massachusetts | ||
| County | Worcester | ||
| Settled | 1743 | ||
| Incorporated | 1771 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 35.8 sq mi (92.8 km2) | ||
| • Land | 35.4 sq mi (91.8 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 3,413 | ||
| • Density | 94.6/sq mi (36.5/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 01541 | ||
| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-55395 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0618380 | ||
| Website | http://town.princeton.ma.us/ | ||
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden. The preeminent landmark within Princeton is Mount Wachusett, which straddles the line between Princeton and Westminster but the entrance to which is within Princeton. According to tradition, in 1675, Mary Rowlandson was ransomed upon Redemption Rock, now within the town of Princeton, by King Philip. The population was 3,413 at the 2010 census.
Princeton was created in 1759, out of land that was once part of Rutland. It was named after the Rev. Thomas Prince. In 1810, it annexed a piece of Hubbardston, and in 1870, it annexed a piece of Westminster.
Princeton has five entries on the National Register of Historic Places:
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.8 square miles (93 km2), of which, 35.4 square miles (92 km2) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) of it (1.12%) is water.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 1,318 | — |
| 1860 | 1,201 | −8.9% |
| 1870 | 1,279 | +6.5% |
| 1880 | 1,100 | −14.0% |
| 1890 | 982 | −10.7% |
| 1900 | 975 | −0.7% |
| 1910 | 818 | −16.1% |
| 1920 | 682 | −16.6% |
| 1930 | 717 | +5.1% |
| 1940 | 713 | −0.6% |
| 1950 | 1,032 | +44.7% |
| 1960 | 1,360 | +31.8% |
| 1970 | 1,681 | +23.6% |
| 1980 | 2,425 | +44.3% |
| 1990 | 3,189 | +31.5% |
| 2000 | 3,353 | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 3,413 | +1.8% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 3,353 people, 1,166 households, and 959 families residing in the town. The population density was 94.6 inhabitants per square mile (36.5/km2). There were 1,196 housing units at an average density of 33.7 per square mile (13.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.75% White, 0.30% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 1,166 households out of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the town, the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $80,993, and the median income for a family was $84,300. Males had a median income of $60,888 versus $39,494 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,232. About 2.7% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
Princeton has organizations that has been created by its residents to help in many different ways.
Hearts for Heat has recently become a notable aspect of Princeton life. Founded in 2006 by Princeton resident Cindy Shea, this non-governmental organization provides heat (oil, coal, wood, electric) to residents of Princeton. After meeting 100% of fuel assistance need in Princeton, the NGO expanded to include sections in surrounding towns Spencer, Massachusetts, North Brookfield, Massachusetts, and Leicester, Massachusetts. The up-and-coming NGO's unique attributes are its community-binding nature, as well as its promise to use every dollar donated for actual fuel distributions. Recently featured on the front page of the Worcester County newspaper, the Telegram and Gazette, Shea has also found herself the focus of articles in Worcester Living Magazine, and the Landmark, Wachusett Region's newspaper.
Princeton Public Library at right and Bagg Hall (town hall) at left, 1899
