South Hadley, Massachusetts
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Image:Town of South Hadley.jpg
South Hadley is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 17,196. It is home to Mount Holyoke College and the independent bookstore The Odyssey Bookshop.
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History
South Hadley was first settled in 1659 and was officially incorporated in 1775. It is the home of the first navigable canal in the United States as well as the first female college in the United States.
Geography
Image:South Hadley ma highlight.png South Hadley is located in the western part of Massachusetts, specifically in the Pioneer Valley. It is bordered on the north by the towns of Hadley and Amherst, on the east by Granby, and on the south by Chicopee. The Connecticut River defines South Hadley's western border and separates the town from the city of Holyoke. South Hadley is 12 miles north of Springfield, 45 miles south of Brattleboro, Vermont, 87 miles west of Boston, and 145 miles from New York City.
Although no Interstate Highways cross South Hadley's borders, U.S. Route 202, and Massachusetts Highways 33, 47, and 116 provide primary routes of transportation. Interstate 91 can be accessed in Holyoke while Interstate 90 is accessible through Chicopee. Bradley International Airport, serving the greater Hartford-Springfield area, is located 17 miles to the south. The closest Amtrak station is located in Springfield.
The Village Commons, a center for dining, shopping, and leisure, is located adjacent to the campus of Mount Holyoke College. Additional commercial centers are located on Massachusetts Routes 116 and 33.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.6 km² (18.4 mi²). 45.9 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.70% water.
Demographics
Image:SouthHadleyView.jpg As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,196 people, 6,586 households, and 4,208 families residing in the town. The population density was 374.9/km² (971.0/mi²). There were 6,784 housing units at an average density of 147.9/km² (383.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.05% White, 1.20% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,586 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 14.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 72.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $46,678, and the median income for a family was $58,693. Males had a median income of $42,256 versus $31,219 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,732. 5.9% of the population and 4.1% of families were below the poverty line. 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
