Amherst, Massachusetts

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Amherst, Massachusetts
Town
Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°22′49″N 72°31′29″W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Hampshire
Settled	1703
Incorporated	1759
Government
• Type	Representative town meeting
• Town Manager	Paul Bockelman
Area
• Total	27.8 sq mi (71.9 km2)
• Land	27.6 sq mi (71.5 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation	299 ft (91 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	39,263
• Density	1,400/sq mi (550/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	01002
Area code(s)	413
FIPS code	25-01345
GNIS feature ID	0618196
Website	www.amherstma.gov

Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The town is home to University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. Amherst is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Amherst was first settled in 1703 and was officially incorporated in 1759. The town was named after Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst, a British military officer. Amherst played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War and has a rich history of abolitionism and education.

Geography

Amherst is located in the Pioneer Valley and is bordered by Hadley to the west, Pelham to the east, Shutesbury to the north, and Belchertown to the south. The town covers an area of 27.8 square miles (71.9 km²), of which 27.6 square miles (71.5 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Amherst had a population of 39,263. The town has a diverse population, with a significant number of students from the three colleges. The median household income is $50,063, and the per capita income is $22,977.

Education

Amherst is known for its educational institutions, including:

• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Amherst College
• Hampshire College

The town also has a public school system, which includes Amherst Regional High School.

Culture and Recreation

Amherst has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and galleries. Notable cultural institutions include the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and the Mead Art Museum.

The town also offers various recreational activities, including hiking, biking, and skiing in the nearby Holyoke Range.

Notable People

• Emily Dickinson, poet
• Noah Webster, lexicographer
• Robert Frost, poet

Related Pages

• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Amherst College
• Hampshire College
• Pioneer Valley
• Hampshire County, Massachusetts
• Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area