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Savoy, Massachusetts
Savoy Town Hall
Savoy Town Hall
Official seal of Savoy, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Berkshire
Settled 1777
Incorporated 1797
Government
 • Type Open town meeting
Area
 • Total 36.0 sq mi (93.3 km2)
 • Land 35.8 sq mi (92.8 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation
1,720 ft (524 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 645
 • Density 17.905/sq mi (6.913/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
01256
Area code(s) 413
FIPS code 25-60225
GNIS feature ID 0619427

Savoy is a small town located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of the larger Pittsfield area. In 2020, about 645 people lived in Savoy.

The History of Savoy

Savoy started as part of a larger area called "Northern Berkshire Township #6" in the Massachusetts Colony. This big area also included the towns we now know as Adams, North Adams, Cheshire, and Lanesborough. The land was sold many times before Colonel William Bullock bought it.

When Was Savoy First Settled?

The first settlers arrived in Savoy in 1777. Colonel Lemuel Hathaway led this group. They called the area "New Seconk" at first.

How Did Savoy Get Its Name?

The town officially became a town in 1797. People believe it was named Savoy because the land looked like the Duchy of Savoy in France.

What Was Savoy Like in the Past?

Savoy first focused on farming and raising animals. Later, several lumber mills became important businesses in the town. Many different religious groups lived and practiced their faiths here by the mid-1800s. Today, Savoy is a calm, country community. It is known for its beautiful views and natural surroundings.

Geography and Nature in Savoy

Savoy covers about 93.3 square kilometers (36 square miles). Most of this area, about 92.8 square kilometers (35.8 square miles), is land. Only a small part, about 0.5 square kilometers (0.2 square miles), is water. Savoy is the 45th largest town in Massachusetts by area. It is the ninth largest in Berkshire County.

What Natural Features Are in Savoy?

Savoy is located among the Berkshire Hills. A large part of the town is covered by Savoy Mountain State Forest. Parts of three other state forests are also here: Mohawk Trail State Forest, Windsor State Forest, and Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest. There is also a special area for wildlife in the southwest part of town.

Rivers and Mountains in Savoy

The Cold River, which is part of the Deerfield River, forms some of the town's northern border. This river feeds many smaller streams. Other streams that flow into the Westfield River also run through the southern part of Savoy. The highest point in town is the top of Borden Mountain. It is about 764 meters (2,507 feet) above sea level.

Where is Savoy Located?

Savoy is on the eastern edge of Berkshire County. It shares borders with Franklin County and Hampshire County. Nearby towns include Florida to the north, Charlemont, Hawley, and Plainfield to the east. To the south is Windsor, to the southwest is Cheshire, and to the west is Adams.

Savoy is about 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Pittsfield. It is about 120 miles (193 km) west-northwest of Boston. However, it is closer to Hartford, Connecticut, and Albany, New York, than to its own state capital.

Roads and Transportation in Savoy

A small part of Massachusetts Route 2, also known as the Mohawk Trail, goes through the northeast border of Savoy. It then crosses the Cold River into Florida. In the south, Route 116 and Route 8A meet near the center of town. They continue together towards the southeast.

There are no train lines in Savoy. The closest train line is a freight line that goes through the nearby town of Florida via the Hoosac Tunnel. You can find the nearest bus service and a small airport, Harriman-and-West Airport, in North Adams. For national flights, the closest airports are Bradley International Airport in Connecticut and Albany International Airport in New York.

People and Population in Savoy

In 2000, there were 705 people living in Savoy. There were 287 households and 202 families. Savoy is the 26th largest town by population in Berkshire County. It is the 336th largest out of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Who Lives in Savoy?

The population density was about 19.7 people per square mile (7.6 people per square kilometer). Most people in Savoy (97.45%) were White. A small number were African American (0.71%), Native American (0.43%), or from other backgrounds. About 0.71% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Households and Families

About 31% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (60.3%) were married couples living together. About 23.3% of all households were made up of single individuals. About 7% of these individuals were 65 years old or older. The average household had 2.45 people, and the average family had 2.90 people.

Age Groups in Savoy

The population was spread out by age. About 24.4% were under 18 years old. About 30.5% were between 25 and 44 years old. About 29.5% were between 45 and 64 years old. About 10.2% were 65 years old or older. The average age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were about 115.6 males.

Income in Savoy

The average income for a household in Savoy was $41,477. For families, the average income was $50,114. The average income per person in the town was $20,223. About 5.4% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 9.2% of those under 18 and 3.7% of those 65 or older.

Education in Savoy

Savoy has its own elementary school, called the Emma L. Miller Memorial Elementary School. This school teaches students from pre-kindergarten up to sixth grade. Savoy is part of the Northern Berkshire School Union. After elementary school, students go to Hoosac Valley Regional Middle School. Then they attend Hoosac Valley High School.

Other School Options

There are also private, religious, charter, and vocational schools nearby. These are located in Adams and North Adams.

Colleges and Universities Near Savoy

The closest community college is Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. The nearest state college is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. The closest state university is the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

See also

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