Chesterfield, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 Chesterfield Post Office | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts | |
| Coordinates:42°23′30″N72°50′25″W / 42.39167°N 72.84028°W /42.39167; -72.84028 | |
| 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 | 1,394 ft (425 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,186 |
| • Density | 38/sq mi (15/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Codes |
|
| Area code | 413 |
| FIPS code | 25-13590 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618197[1] |
| Website | www |
Chesterfield is arural hilltown inHampshire County,Massachusetts, United States, 26 miles (42 km) east ofPittsfield and 90 miles (140 km) west ofBoston. The population was 1,186 at the2020 census.[2] It is part of theSpringfield, MassachusettsMetropolitan Statistical Area.
Chesterfield was first settled in 1760 and was officially incorporated in 1762. It was named after theEarl of Chesterfield.[3] The town center, established after theRevolution, has well-preservedFederal period houses along Main Road. In its early days, the town supported a largely agricultural economy, with wool fromMerino 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there were sawmills and tanneries in operation as well as cloth dressing mills, and in the early 19th century these superseded farming and brought in a small immigrant population that was mostlyIrish. 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.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.2 square miles (80.9 km2), of which 30.8 square miles (79.9 km2) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 1.27%, are water.[4] Chesterfield's location is nearly equidistant from the northern, southern and western state lines of Massachusetts.
Chesterfield is located inthe Hilltowns region of Massachusetts, 52 miles (84 km) north ofHartford, Connecticut, 108 miles (174 km) west ofBoston, 30 miles (48 km) northwest ofSpringfield, 64 miles (103 km) southeast ofAlbany, New York, 26 miles (42 km) east ofPittsfield, and 160 miles (260 km) northeast ofNew York City.
Chesterfield is part of theHampshire Regional School District along withGoshen,Southampton,Westhampton, andWilliamsburg. Students attend K–6 at New Hingham Regional Elementary School along withGoshen, and 7–12 students attendHampshire Regional High School.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 1,183 | — |
| 1820 | 1,447 | +22.3% |
| 1850 | 1,014 | −29.9% |
| 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% |
| 2022* | 1,175 | −0.9% |
| * = population estimate.[5] | ||
At the 2000census,[6] there were 1,201 people, 447 households and 324 families residing in the town. Thepopulation density was 38.6 inhabitants per square mile (14.90/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% fromother races, and 0.75% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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.
Themedian 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. Theper capita income for the town was $19,220. About 3.4% of families and 5.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Municipalities and communities ofHampshire County, Massachusetts,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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