Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Old_Hampshire_County_Courthouse,_Northampton_MA

Hampshire County
U.S. county
County of Hampshire
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
Seat	Northampton
Area
• Total	545 sq mi (1,410 km2)
• Land	529 sq mi (1,370 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	162,308
• Density	300/sq mi (110/km2)

[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Hampshire County is a historical county located in the Pioneer Valley of the state of Massachusetts, in the United States. The county seat is Northampton, and its largest city is Amherst. As of the 2020 census, the population was 162,308.

History

Hampshire County was created in 1662 from portions of Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was named after Hampshire, a county in England. The county played a significant role in the early history of Massachusetts, particularly during the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

Hampshire County is located in the western part of Massachusetts and is part of the Pioneer Valley. The county has a total area of 545 square miles, of which 529 square miles is land and 16 square miles is water. The Connecticut River runs through the county, providing fertile soil and a rich agricultural history.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Hampshire County had a population of 162,308. The county is known for its educational institutions, including UMass Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College.

Government

Hampshire County does not have a county government; it was abolished in 1999. The functions of the county government were transferred to the state government and local municipalities.

Education

Hampshire County is home to several higher education institutions:

• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Amherst College
• Hampshire College
• Smith College (located in Northampton)
• Mount Holyoke College (located in nearby South Hadley)

Transportation

The county is served by several major highways, including Interstate 91 and U.S. Route 202. Public transportation is provided by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA).

Communities

Hampshire County includes several cities and towns:

• Amherst
• Belchertown
• Easthampton
• Hadley
• Northampton
• South Hadley

Notable People

• Emily Dickinson, poet, born in Amherst
• Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, lived in Northampton

See Also

• Pioneer Valley
• Connecticut River
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Amherst College
• Hampshire College
• Smith College
• Mount Holyoke College