Hampshire County

As of the latest census data, Hampshire County, MA has a population of approximately 161,000 people. The racial composition is predominantly White (about 85%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (around 6%), Black or African American (around 3%), and Asian (approximately 4%). The median household income is roughly $68,000. About 15% of the population is living below the poverty line. The county has a relatively high level of educational attainment, with around 45% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.

Hampshire County, MA, has a median home value of approximately $348,000. The county’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,200 monthly. The homeownership rate stands at about 65%. Housing units total approximately 64,000, with a vacancy rate of 7%. Over the past year, home prices have appreciated by roughly 5%. The demand for housing remains high, influenced by the county's academic institutions and scenic rural areas.

Hampshire County, Massachusetts, conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. For the 2022 election cycle, key races included positions for the state legislature, county commissioners, and municipal offices.

In the Massachusetts State Senate race for the Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester District, incumbent Senator Jo Comerford (Democrat) ran unopposed and retained her seat. In the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Lindsay Sabadosa (D) was re-elected for the 1st Hampshire District with 18,235 votes, defeating her opponent, Robert E. Firestone (R), who garnered 4,912 votes.

Hampshire County also saw local elections for mayoral positions, city council seats, and school committee members within its municipalities. Voter turnout in the 2022 general election was approximately 66%, reflecting active civic engagement.

For specific candidate names and detailed numerical election outcomes, please refer to the official Hampshire County election website or the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

Hampshire County, MA is highly educated compared to both national and state averages. According to recent data:

• Bachelor's degree or higher: About 49.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly above the national average of 33.1% and the Massachusetts state average of 42.1%.
• High school graduate or higher: Approximately 94.3% of residents have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 89.7% and the Massachusetts average of 91.1%.

The presence of several higher education institutions, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Amherst College, contributes to these high education levels.

As of recent data, Hampshire County, MA has an employment rate of around 3.2%, which is lower than both the national average (approximately 3.7%) and the Massachusetts state average (around 3.6%). The county's labor force comprises about 91,000 individuals.

Top industries in Hampshire County include:

1. Education and health services: Dominated by major institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this sector employs around 37% of the workforce.
2. Retail trade: Employs approximately 12% of workers.
3. Professional and business services: Accounts for about 11% of employment.
4. Leisure and hospitality: Engages roughly 9% of the workforce.

These industries align closely with state-level employment trends, although Hampshire County has a higher proportion of jobs in education due to its concentration of higher education institutions.

As of the latest available data, Hampshire County, MA, has a median household income of approximately $68,000. When compared to the national median household income, which is around $68,703, Hampshire County is slightly below the national average. The median household income for the state of Massachusetts is significantly higher at $85,843.

Here's a comparison table for quick reference:

This data indicates that while Hampshire County's income levels are on par with the national average, they lag behind the state average by a substantial margin.

(Note: For the most current data, always refer to the latest reports from the U.S. Census Bureau or other authoritative sources.)

As of the most recent data available, Hampshire County, MA, has a moderately low crime rate compared to national averages. For every 100,000 people, the county experiences approximately:

• Violent Crime: 190 incidents
• Property Crime: 1,430 incidents

The breakdown of specific crime types in Hampshire County is as follows:

While this gives a general picture of crime in the area, specific towns and cities within the county may have different crime rates. Always refer to local law enforcement reports for the most current and detailed information.