County population in July 2009:  471,081 (90% urban, 10% rural)

County owner-occupied houses and condos:  108,524

Renter-occupied apartments:  66,764

% of renters here:  38%

State:  36%

Land area:  618 sq. mi.

Water area:  15.7 sq. mi.

Population density:  762 people per square mile     (high)

Jan. 2011 cost of living index in Hampden County:

114.1 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)

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Educational,health and social services  (23.7%), Manufacturing (16.5%), Retail trade  (12.4%).

Type of workers:

• Private wage or salary: 78%
  
• Government: 17%
  
• Self-employed, not incorporated: 5%
  
• Unpaid family work: 0%
  

Races in Hampden County, Massachusetts:

• White Non-Hispanic Alone (70.7%)
• Hispanic or Latino (18.5%)
• Black Non-Hispanic Alone (7.7%)
• Asian alone (1.7%)
• Two or more races (1.0%)

Median resident age:  36.4 years

Massachusetts median age:  36.5 years

Males:  218,493 (47.9%)

Females:  237,735 (52.1%)

Average household size:

Hampden County:  2.5 people

Massachusetts:  3 people

Estimated median household income in 2009:  

$46,809 ($39,718 in 1999)

This county:  $46809

Massachusetts:  $64081

Median contract rent in 2009 for apartments:

$619 (lower quartile is $411, upper quartile is $768)

This county:  $619

State:  $864

Estimated median house or condo value in 2009:

$200,200 (it was $113,700 in 2000)

Hampden County:  $200,200

Massachusetts:  $338,500

Lower value quartile  - $154,500

Upper value quartile:  - $265,200

Mean price in 2009:

Detached houses: $236,621

Here:  $236,621

State:  $412,156

Townhouses or other attached units:  $189,283

Here:  $189,283

State: $346,236

In 2-unit structures:  $190,102

Here:  $190,102

State: $348,924

In 3-to-4-unit structures:  $193,779

Here:  $193,779

State: $354,648

In 5-or-more-unit structure:  $140,893

Here:  $140,893

State: $326,862

Mobile homes:  $58,415

Here:  $58,415

State: $71,966

Health of residents in Hampden County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2009:

General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.4.

This is significantly worse than average.

69.2% of residents exercised in the past month. This is less than average.

50.6% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is about average. 

81.9% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average.

72.1% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is about average. 

Average weight of males is 195 pounds. This is about average. 

Average weight of females is 165 pounds. This is more than average. 

12.6% of residents keep firearms around their homes. This is less than average. 

Single-family new house construction building permits:

•  2007:  575 buildings,  average cost:  $189,200
•  2008:  312 buildings,  average cost:  $202,400
•  2009:  292 buildings,  average cost:  $188,100

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $2,754 (1.4%)

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $2,709 (1.4%)

Detailed 2008 Election Results

• Obama (Democratic): 61.4%
  
• McCain (Republican): 36.1%

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009:  17.3%

(8.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 27.8% for Black residents, 42.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 46.6% for other race residents)

Hampden County:  17.3%

Massachusetts:  10.3% (8.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 27.8% for Black residents, 42.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 46.6% for other race residents)

Median age of residents in 2009:  38 years old

(Males: 36 years old,  Females: 40 years old)

(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 31 years old, American Indian residents: 19 years old, Asian residents: 31 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 24 years old, Other race residents: 24 years old)

Area name:  Springfield, MA HUD Metro FMR Area

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hampden County is $629 a month.

Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $799 a month.

Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $956 a month.

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Hampden County: Ludlow Country Club (A), Ludlow Shopping Plaza (B), Appalachian Mountain Club (C), Quaboag Valley Golf Course (D), Sodom Mountain Campground (E), Sodom Mountain Ski Area (F), Barber Camp (G), Southwick Country Club (H), Springfield Boys Camp (I), Springfield Girls Camp (J), Westover Industrial Park (K), Wilbraham Country Club (L), Blandford Ski Area (M), East Longmeadow Industrial Park (N), East Longmeadow Rod and Gun Club (O), Edgewood Golf Course (P), Elmcrest Country Club (Q), Garden Plaza (R), Golden Acres Campground (S), Hampden Country Club (T). Display/hide their locations on the map

Shopping Centers: Ludlow Plaza Shopping Center (1), Ludlow Shopping Center (2), Meadowbrook Shopping Center (3), Ames-Big Y Shopping Center (4), North Main Shopping Center (5), Southwick Plaza Shopping Center (6), Stony Hill Plaza Shopping Center (7), The Shops at Gillett Corners Shopping Center (8), Boston Road Shopping Center (9).

Churches in Hampden County include: Westfield Evangelical Free Church (A), Wales Baptist Church (B), United Church of Christ (C), Union Church of Christ (D), Christ Lutheran Church (E), Christ the King Lutheran Church (F), Southwick Assembly of God Church (G), Saint Peter and Paul Ukranian Catholic Church (H), Saint Pauls United Methodist Church (I).

Cemeteries: South Quarter Cemetery (1), Tolland Cemetery (2), Dubois Cemetery (3), Brimfield Cemetery (4), The Old Cemetery (5), Grouts Cemetery (6), Prospect Hill Cemetery (7). 

Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Minechoag Pond (A), Haviland Pond (B), Hayden Pond (C), Pork Barrel Pond (D), Bradley Pond (E), Trout Pond (F), Gamache Pond (G), Duck Pond (H).

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Ripley Brook (A), Japhet Brook (B), Ellis Brook (C), Halfway Brook (D), Vinica Brook (E), Babcock Brook (F), Palmer Brook (G), Moss Meadow Brook (H), Charles Brook (I).

Parks in Hampden County include: Red Bridge State Park (1), Ludlow Center Historic District (2), Watson Park (3), Leahy Field (4), Hampden Memorial Recreational Park (5), Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (6), Wilbraham Wildlife Area (7), Chester Center Historic District (8), Chester Factory Village Historic District (9). 

Post offices: Brimfield Post Office (A), Blandford Post Office (B), Chester Post Office (C), Hampden Post Office (D), Southwick Post Office (E).

Neighboring counties: Hartford County, Connecticut , Berkshire County , Litchfield County, Connecticut , Tolland County, Connecticut , Hampshire County , Worcester County 

Unemployment in Apr. 2010

Here:  10.4%

Massachusetts: 8.2%

Hampden County: 7.2%

Whole state: 12.2%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population

• 1995 to March 2000:  6,504
  
• 1990 to 1994:  5,244
  
• 1985 to 1989:  3,680
  
• 1980 to 1984:  2,271
  
• 1975 to 1979:  2,301
  
• 1970 to 1974:  2,473
  
• 1970 to 1974:  3,222
  
• 1965 to 1969:  7,338
  

Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.8 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 81.8%

Housing units in structures:

• One, detached:  102,415
• One, attached:  8,182
• Two:  23,920
• 3 or 4:  14,333
• 5 to 9:  11,647
• 10 to 19:  6,267
• 20 or more:  16,189
• Mobile homes:  2,889
• Boats, RVs, vans, etc.:  34

Housing units in Hampden County with a mortgage:  61,595 (5,242 second mortgage, 9,327 home equity loan, 232 both second mortgage and home equity loan)

Houses without a mortgage: 28,865

Here:   68.1% with mortgage

State:  71.6% with mortgage

Religion statistics:

Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations:  64.76%

Here:  64.8%

USA:  50.2%

Total adherents: 295,436

Total congregations: 247

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores:  90

This county:  1.95 / 10,000 pop.

Massachusetts: 1.98 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores:  2

Hampden County:  0.04 / 10,000 pop.

State:  0.05 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas):  86

Hampden County:  1.87 / 10,000 pop.

Massachusetts:  2.22 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas):  112

This County:  2.43 / 10,000 pop.

Massachusetts:  1.77 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants:  335

Hampden County:  7.27 / 10,000 pop.

Massachusetts: 8.76 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:

Here:  9.2%

Massachusetts: 8.1%

Adult obesity rate:

Here:  25.9%

Massachusetts: 22.5%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:

Hampden County:  16.2%

State: 16.5%

Agriculture in Hampden County:

Average size of farms:  82 acres

Average value of agricultural products sold per farm:  $51,717

Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland:  $1842.61

The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold:  40.33%

The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold:  14.73%

Average total farm production expenses per farm:  $45,247

Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms:  29.12%

Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms:  7.98%

Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm:  $35,433

The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual:  84.72%

Average age of principal farm operators:  55 years

Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms:  7.24

Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves:  42.31%

Vegetables:  887 harvested acres

Land in orchards:  589 acres

Tornado activity:

Hampden County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is near Massachusetts state average. It is 1.5 times above overall U.S. average.

Tornadoes in this county have caused one injury recorded between 1950 and 2004.

On 8/10/1979, a category 1 (max. wind speeds 73-112 mph) tornado injured one person and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Hampden County-area historical earthquake activity is below Massachusetts state average. It is 88% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 10/2/1994 at 11:27:22, a magnitude 3.7 (3.5 LG, 3.7 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 21.4 miles away from the county center

On 6/16/2000 at 04:02:53, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 LG, Depth: 6.1 mi) earthquake occurred 12.9 miles away from the county center

On 10/2/1994 at 14:36:36, a magnitude 3.3 (3.1 LG, 3.3 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 24.2 miles away from the county center

On 10/6/1992 at 15:38:04, a magnitude 3.4 (3.4 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 96.9 miles away from Hampden County center

On 3/22/1996 at 20:22:12, a magnitude 3.1 (3.1 MD, 3.1 LG, Depth: 7.4 mi) earthquake occurred 74.8 miles away from the county center

On 7/24/2007 at 01:56:48, a magnitude 3.1 (3.1 MD, 2.7 LG, Depth: 9.3 mi) earthquake occurred 85.7 miles away from the county center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), duration magnitude (MD)

Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries

 

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006: 

from Hampshire County, MA  0.78% ($35,301 average AGI)

from Worcester County, MA  0.29% ($43,516)

from Hartford County, CT  0.27% ($45,440)

from Middlesex County, MA  0.14% ($46,504)

from Franklin County, MA  0.09% ($35,603)

from Essex County, MA  0.07% ($29,134)

from Suffolk County, MA  0.07% ($34,825)

Hampden County:  0.04 / 10,000 pop.

State:  0.05 / 10,000 pop.

4.29% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($40,647 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  4.29%

Massachusetts average: 6.91%

0.07% of residents moved to foreign countries ($430 average AGI)

Hampden County:  0.07%

Massachusetts average: 0.11%

1.64% relocated to other counties in Massachusetts ($14,634 average AGI)

2.58% relocated to other states ($25,583 average AGI)

Hampden County: 2.58%

Massachusetts average: 3.26%

Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries

to Hampshire County, MA 0.77% ($38,198 average AGI)

to Hartford County, CT 0.38% ($47,087)

to Worcester County, MA 0.25% ($38,860)

to Middlesex County, MA 0.16% ($36,554)

to Suffolk County, MA 0.11% ($32,611)

to Franklin County, MA 0.08% ($30,775)

to Tolland County, CT 0.07% ($68,058)

Births per 1000 population in Hampden County

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 14.0

Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 12.6

Deaths per 1000 population in Hampden County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.1

Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.0

Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Hampden County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 7.4

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 6.3

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 76,370 (62,597 aged, 13,773 disabled)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 13%

Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 1.08

Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 13316.83

Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 272.6

Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 46082.23

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1246.340

Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 993.520

Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 24.26

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 55.96

Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 82.32

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 12.35

Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1

Size of family households: 46,250 2-persons, 28,203 3-persons, 24,353 4-persons, 11,460 5-persons, 4,241 6-persons, 2,063 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 49,698 1-person, 7,877 2-persons, 746 3-persons, 428 4-persons, 99 5-persons, 37 6-persons, 20 7-or-more-persons.

77.7% of residents of Hampden County speak English at home.

12.9% of residents speak Spanish at home (57% speak English very well, 22% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 7% don't speak English at all).

7.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (60% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 15% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).

1.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (44% speak English very well, 32% speak English well, 20% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).

0.4% of residents speak other language at home (73% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 10% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $3,115,782,000 ($6746 per capita)

Department of Defense expenditure: $216,155,000

Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $1,132,031,000

Federal other direct payments to individuals: $684,131,000

Federal direct payments not to individuals: $14,383,000

Federal grants: $771,155,000

Federal procurement contracts: $198,705,000 ($70,870,000 Department of Defense)

Federal salaries and wages: $315,378,000 ($64,596,000 Department of Defense)

Federal Government direct loans: $43,314,000

Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $181,959,000

Federal Government insurance: $131,811,000

Population change from 

April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 30,168

Here:  65 per 1000 residents

State:  67 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 24,209

Net international migration: +6,986

Here:  +15 per 1000 residents

State:+25 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -7,093

Here: -15 per 1000 residents

State:-37 per 1000 residents

Population Growth in Hampden County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 53.57 millions of gallons per day (13% from ground, 87% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:

Here:  6.0

State:  6.4

Median number of rooms in apartments:

Here:  4.1

State:  4.0

Year house built

• 2005 or later: 1,802
  
• 2000 to 2004: 4,499
  
• 1990 to 1999: 10,860
  
• 1980 to 1989: 16,354
  
• 1970 to 1979: 22,787
  
• 1960 to 1969: 22,495
  
• 1950 to 1959: 31,203
  
• 1940 to 1949: 16,229
  
• 1939 or earlier: 64,422
  

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

• This state: 307037
• Northeast: 56015
• Midwest: 7426
• South: 16309
• West: 4727

Here:  10.6%

State:  10.8%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 2,298

Here:  8.4%

State:  12.2%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 8,004

Here:  33.7%

State:  48.2%

Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009

(Based on 77 full tracts)

A

Conventional

Home Purchase Loans

B

Refinancings

C

Non-occupant Loans on 

< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)

LOANS ORIGINATED

• Number - 341
  
• Average Value - $203,654
  

APPLICATIONS APPROVED, 

NOT ACCEPTED

• Number - 96
  
• Average Value - $217,146
  

APPLICATIONS DENIED

• Number - 61
  
• Average Value - $199,787
  

APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN

• Number - 12
  
• Average Value - $185,750
  

FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS

• Number - 5
  
• Average Value - $154,200
  

LOANS ORIGINATED

• Number - 239
  
• Average Value - $219,322
  

APPLICATIONS APPROVED, 

NOT ACCEPTED

• Number - 89
  
• Average Value - $222,045
  

APPLICATIONS DENIED

• Number - 94
  
• Average Value - $226,202
  

APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN

• Number - 20
  
• Average Value - $258,200
  

FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS

• Number - 5
  
• Average Value - $189,600
  

LOANS ORIGINATED

• Number - 1
  
• Average Value - $431,000
  

APPLICATIONS APPROVED, 

NOT ACCEPTED

• Number - 1
  
• Average Value - $131,000
  

APPLICATIONS DENIED

• Number - 1
  
• Average Value - $84,000
  

APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN

• Number - 1
  
• Average Value - $109,000
  

FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS

• Number - 0
  
• Average Value - $0
  

Businesses in Hampden County, MA

Name 

7-Eleven

AMF Bowling

AT&T

Abercrombie & Fitch  

Abercrombie Kids  

Aeropostale

Ann Taylor

Apple Store

Arby's

AutoZone

Bath & Body Works 

Bed Bath & Beyond 

Blockbuster

Brookstone

Burger King

Clarion

Comfort Inn

Costco

Dairy Queen

Days Inn

Decora Cabinetry

Dennys

Domino's Pizza

Dunkin Donuts

Econo Lodge

FedEx

Foot Locker

GNC 7

GameStop

Gap

H&R Block

Holiday Inn

Hollister Co.

Home Depot

Howard Johnson

IHOP

JCPenney

KFC

Kmart

Knights Inn

Kohl's

LENSCRAFTERS

La-Z-Boy

Count

4

2

5

1

1

2

2

1

2

7

2

1

4

1

8

1

1

1

3

2

8

2

5

50

3

54

1

7

8

2

16

3

1

4

2

2

2

9

3

1

1

2

3      

Name 

Lane Furniture

Lowes

Macy's

Marriott

Marshalls

MasterBrand Cabinets

McDonald's

Motel 6

Outback Steakhouse

Panda Express

Panera Bread

Payless

Pizza Hut

Popeyes

Quality

Quiznos

RadioShack

Raymour & Flanigan

Red Robin

Rite Aid

Ruby Tuesday

Sears

Sephora

Spencer Gifts

Sprint Nextel

Staples

Starbucks

Subway

Super 8

T-Mobile

T.J.Maxx

Taco Bell

Target

Toys"R"Us

Travelodge

UPS

Verizon Wireless

Victoria's Secret

Walgreens

Walmart

Wendy's

YMCA

Count

4

1

2

1

2

41

24

1

1

1

3

8

2

1

2

2

7

2

2

9

2

5

1

1

3

5

6

42

1

12

2

7

1

5

1

64

6

1

11

3

8

6  

Hampden County on our top lists:

#24 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2005 and 2006"

#25 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Ozone (1-hour) air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"

#36 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives"

#40 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006"

#41 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of people moving out compared to moving in (pop. 50,000+)"

#61 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Nitrogen Dioxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"

#62 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Sulfur Oxides Annual air pollution readings in 2005 (µg/m3)"

#71 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest average weight of females"

#73 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest carbon monoxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"

#79 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Ozone (8-hour) air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"