Southwick, Massachusetts
Southwick is a town located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 8,835.
Contents |
History
Southwick was first settled in the 1730s by farmers from Westfield, Massachusetts, to the north. Southwick broke off from Westfield in 1770 and was officially incorporated in 1775. The 1775 boundaries of the town were somewhat smaller than the original settlement, since the southernmost third of Southwick ended up in Simsbury, Connecticut as the result of a cecession of its citizens. The town remained divided until 1793, when Massachusetts claimed the area (known as the "jog"). A border dispute continued until 1804, when the current boundary was established through a compromise between the two states.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 82.1 km² (31.7 mi²). 80.2 km² (31.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.37% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 8,835 people, 3,318 households, and 2,418 families residing in the town. The population density is 110.2/km² (285.4/mi²). There are 3,533 housing units at an average density of 44.1/km² (114.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.41% White, 0.51% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,318 households out of which 36.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are married couples living together, 8.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% are non-families. 21.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.66 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $52,296, and the median income for a family is $64,456. Males have a median income of $41,863 versus $30,889 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,756. 6.1% of the population and 3.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Official town website.
- "The Southwick Jog" by Rev. Edward R. Dodge.
- Map of Southwick, Massachusetts from Google Maps.
