Wales, Massachusetts Facts for Kids

Wales was first settled in 1726 and was officially incorporated on August 23, 1775, as South Brimfield, a name it kept until February 20, 1828. The town was renamed after James Lawrence Wales, a local benefactor. Initial settlers included John Bullen, and Samuel and Dorothy Munger. The next generation of Mungers became prominent in the town. Samuel (Jr.) served as a selectman and was deacon of the Baptist Church for many years. Nathaniel was one of 12 men of the district appointed as a "court of Justice and Honor to determine all controversies that may hereafter arise in said District," and was also a deacon of the Baptist Church. The "Meadow District" of Wales was originally known as "Munger's Meadow" and includes graves of early pioneers.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.0 square miles (41 km²), of which 15.8 square miles (41 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (1 km²) (1.32%) is water. Wales is bounded on the west by Monson; on the south by Stafford, Connecticut and Union, Connecticut; on the east by Holland; and on the north by Brimfield.

Library

The Wales Public Library opened in 1897. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Wales spent 1.28% ($45,480) of its budget on its public library—some $24 per person.

Demographics

Pond at Wales, Massachusetts

By the 2010 census, the population had reached 1,838. As of the census of 2000, there had been 1,737 people, 660 households, and 481 families residing in the town. The population density was 110.3 people per square mile (42.6/km²). There were 796 housing units at an average density of 50.5 per square mile (19.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.75% White, 0.52% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1850	711	—
1860	677	−4.8%
1870	831	+22.7%
1880	1,030	+23.9%
1890	700	−32.0%
1900	773	+10.4%
1910	345	−55.4%
1920	419	+21.4%
1930	300	−28.4%
1940	367	+22.3%
1950	497	+35.4%
1960	659	+32.6%
1970	852	+29.3%
1980	1,177	+38.1%
1990	1,566	+33.1%
2000	1,737	+10.9%
2010	1,838	+5.8%
2020	1,832	−0.3%
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data.

There were 660 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, and 11.1% had a female head of household with no husband present.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,906, and the median income for a family was $51,629. Males had a median income of $39,766 versus $27,557 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,267. About 1.8% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Wales Elementary School, serving grades K–6, has its own school committee, part of School Union 61. Wales students attend Tantasqua Regional Junior High School (grades 7–8) and Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge. Union 61 and the Tantasqua district share administrators, including the superintendent, and both include Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, Sturbridge and Wales.

Wales, Massachusetts facts for kids

Contents

History

Geography

Library

Demographics

Education

See also