Westfield is a city located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,072.
Westfield is located at 42°7'46" North, 72°44'46" West (42.129492, -72.745986). It is bordered on the north by Southampton, on the northeast by Holyoke, on the east by West Springfield, on the southeast by Agawam, on the south by Southwick, on the southwest by Granville, on the west by Russell, and on the northwest by Montgomery.
The Westfield River runs through the center of the city. Because of the large river watershed, and in response to severe flooding occurring during the first half of the 20th century, a complicated system of pumps, dikes, waterways, and dams were set up to protect the city. Regardless, Westfield is still considered flood prone.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 122.6 km2 (47.3 mi2). 120.6 km2 (46.6 mi2) of it is land and 1.9 km2 (0.7 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.56% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 40,072 people, 14,797 households, and 10,017 families residing in the city. The population density is 332.2/km2 (860.3/mi2). There are 15,441 housing units at an average density of 128.0/km2 (331.5/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 94.53% White, 0.91% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.12% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 5.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 14,797 households out of which 31.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.07.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $45,240, and the median income for a family is $55,327. Males have a median income of $38,316 versus $27,459 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,600. 11.3% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Westfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially established in 1669. It was incorporated as a city in 1920.
From the time of its founding until 1725, Westfield was the westernmost settlement in the Massachusetts Colony. Town meetings were held in a church meeting house until 1839 when Town Hall was erected on Broad Street. This building served as a City Hall from 1920 to 1958. Due to its alluvial lands, the inhabitants of this area were entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits for about 150 years. Early in the 19th century the making of bricks, whips, and cigars became the principal occupations. At one point in the 1800s, Westfield was the prominent center of the buggy whip industry. To this day, the city is nicknamed the "Whip City." Other firms at the time engaged in the production of bicycles, paper products, boilers and radiators, textile machinery, abrasives, wood products, and precision tools. The establishment of industry in the community changed its character from agricultural to a thriving industrial city during the latter part of the 19th century.
In the early 20th century, Westfield was at the center of the Pure Food movement, an effort to require stricter standards on the production of food. Edward B. Allyn lived in a house on Western Ave, where he was murdered. In 1906, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
Source:
WestfieldMassachusetts.com
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