Hampden County

As of the latest available data, Hampden County, MA has a population of approximately 465,825. The racial composition is about 67% White, 11% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 0.5% Native American. Hispanic or Latino residents, irrespective of race, make up approximately 25% of the population. Around 13% of residents are foreign-born. The median household income is roughly $57,600, with about 16% of the population living below the poverty line. The county has a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, contributing to its diverse socioeconomic landscape.

As of 2023, Hampden County, MA, has a median home value of approximately $280,000. The median rent is around $1,200 per month. The homeownership rate is roughly 60%, while the vacancy rate for rental properties is about 5.3%. Housing development includes a mix of single-family homes, multi-family units, and apartment complexes. Affordability remains a challenge, with an estimated 30% of residents spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The region has seen moderate growth in housing prices, averaging 4% annually over the past five years.

Hampden County, MA, situated in Western Massachusetts, comprises numerous municipalities, with Springfield as the largest city. Election information varies based on the year and the races in question, including local, state, and federal positions.

For instance, in the 2022 elections, state-level races included candidates for positions such as Governor, where Democrat Maura Healey ran against Republican Geoff Diehl. In the 1st Congressional District, serving parts of Hampden County, incumbent Democrat Richard Neal faced Republican Dean Martilli.

Local elections are ongoing, with positions for county offices, such as Sheriff and District Attorney, also contested. The voter turnout in midterm elections typically ranges between 50-60%, whereas presidential election years see a higher turnout, approximately 65-75%.

For the latest and most specific candidate and numerical turnout data, referring to the Hampden County Board of Elections or the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website is recommended.

Hampden County, MA, exhibits diverse educational attainment levels. About 89.3% of Hampden County residents aged 25 and older possess at least a high school diploma, slightly lower than the national average of 90%. When it comes to higher education, 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly below the national average of 33.1% and the Massachusetts state average of 44.5%. The county thus lags behind both national and state educational attainment levels, indicating a need for targeted educational initiatives to close the gap.

As of the most recent data, Hampden County, MA has a labor force participation rate of around 62.4% and an unemployment rate of approximately 6.3%, slightly higher than both the national average (around 4-5%) and state average (~5.1%). The county's employment landscape is diverse. Key industries include Healthcare and Social Assistance (employing about 23%), Education (15%), Retail Trade (11%), Manufacturing (10%), and Accommodation and Food Services (8%).

Compared to state and national averages, Hampden County has a higher proportion of employment in Healthcare and Social Assistance as well as Education sectors. Meanwhile, its Manufacturing employment rate is relatively high compared to state averages but aligns more closely with national trends.

The variability in industry distribution highlights the county's particular strength in healthcare and education services, reflecting regional institutional presences like hospitals and colleges.

As of the latest estimates, the median household income in Hampden County, MA, is approximately $56,500. This is below both the national median household income, which stands around $68,700, and the Massachusetts state median, which is approximately $84,400.

These figures highlight that Hampden County's median income is significantly lower than both the national and state averages, reflecting regional economic disparities within Massachusetts and compared to the broader U.S.

Hampden County, MA has crime data that can give insight into the safety levels in the area. According to the latest available data, the crime rate in the county is relatively higher compared to the state average. Per 1,000 residents, the overall crime rate stands at approximately 32.4, with violent crimes being particularly concerning.

Crime Statistics for Hampden County, MA (per 1,000 residents)

These figures illustrate that property crimes, particularly larceny-theft, significantly contribute to the overall crime rate.