Brookfield, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brookfield, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester County |
| Settled | 1664 |
| Incorporated | 1718 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| - Administrative Assistant | Donna Neylon |
| Area | |
| - Town | 16.6 sq mi (42.9 km²) |
| - Land | 15.5 sq mi (40.2 km²) |
| - Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Elevation | 714 ft (218 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 3,051 |
| - Density | 196.5/sq mi (75.9/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01506 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| Website: http://www.brookfieldma.us/ | |
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,051 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
[edit] History
Brookfield was first settled in 1664 and was officially incorporated in 1718.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.9 km² (16.6 mi²). 40.2 km² (15.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (6.34%) is water. Brookfield is bounded on the west, north and east by towns that were formerly part of it: West Brookfield, North Brookfield, and East Brookfield, respectively, and on the south by Sturbridge.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,051 people, 1,204 households, and 857 families residing in the town. The population density was 75.9/km² (196.5/mi²). There were 1,302 housing units at an average density of 32.4/km² (83.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.20% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 1,204 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,655, and the median income for a family was $54,519. Males had a median income of $38,806 versus $29,155 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,144. About 3.8% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
| County government: Worcester County | |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts: | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| County Treasurer: | Position Eliminated |
| District Attorney: | Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D) |
| Registrar of Deeds: | Anthony J. Vigliotti (D) |
| Registrar of Probate: | Stephen Abraham (D) |
| Sheriff: | Guy W. Glodis (D) |
| State government | |
| Representative(s) in General Court: | Anne M. Gobi (D) |
| Senator(s) in General Court: | Stephen M. Brewer (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Thomas J. Foley (D) |
| Federal government | |
| Member(s) of the U.S. House of Representatives: | Richard E. Neal (D-2nd District), |
| U.S. Senators: | Edward Kennedy (D) John Kerry (D) |
[edit] Education
Brookfield Elementary School, serving grades K-6, has its own school committee, part of School Union 61. Brookfield students attend Tantasqua Regional Junior High School (grades 8-9) and Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge. Union 61 and the Tantasqua district share administrators, including the superintendent, and both include Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, Sturbridge and Wales.
[edit] Notable residents
- William Cameron Appleton, (1786-1862), United States Congressman from Massachusetts[1]
Elsie the Cow of Borden Products fame, originally called Brookfield home. She was raised on a farm near the center of town, and her "boyfriend" ended up being on another famous label, Elmers Glue. Elsie won a beauty contest at the worlds fair, (193?) and was then signed up for her borden duties.
[edit] References
- ^ (1963) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who.
