Hampden County Public RecordsMassachusetts

Hampden County, MA has about 305,000 residents, with nearly 190,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include federal, state, and local races; In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden received 66% of the vote, and Republican Donald Trump 32%. Voters can cast ballots at over 120 precinct polling locations. Key local issues include education and public safety funding. The Hampden County Board of Elections oversees administration, ensuring compliance and access. The county’s registration leans Democratic, with about 49% Democrats, 11% Republicans, and 40% unenrolled (independent) voters.

Hampden County, MA, hosts over 60 public high schools and several colleges, including Springfield College and Western New England University. About 88% of adults have a high school diploma, and 25% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average high school graduation rate is 85%. School safety initiatives and adult education programs, like Holyoke Community College’s offerings, are widely available. GreatSchools rates top public schools in the county between 5 and 9 out of 10. Enrichment programs and STEM clubs support a diverse educational environment.

Hampden County, MA had an employment rate of approximately 59% in 2022. Major employment by industry includes Health Care & Social Assistance (18.6%), Retail Trade (11.2%), and Educational Services (10.3%). The workforce is mostly in office & administrative support (13.5%), management (8.6%), and sales (8.0%) occupations. About 80% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 23.2 minutes; most employees work within the county, especially in Springfield, its largest city.

Hampden County, MA, features a homeownership rate of about 59% and a median home value around $280,000 in 2023, while median rent is roughly $1,200 monthly. The housing market has seen steady 5% annual value increases. Housing types range from historic Victorians in Springfield to suburban single-family homes in Agawam and Chicopee. Notable neighborhoods include Forest Park and East Longmeadow. Property taxes average 1.5% of home value, with Springfield’s rate near $20.90 per $1,000 assessed value. The county offers a mix of urban and suburban living, accommodating diverse residents and budgets.

As of the 2020 Census, Hampden County, MA, had a population of 465,825. The median age is approximately 39.7 years. Females make up about 52%, and males 48% of the population. Racially, the county is 65.6% White, 9.4% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, and 21.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race, with 3.6% of residents identifying as two or more races.

Hampden County, MA, experiences higher crime rates than the state average, with a violent crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 18.2, according to FBI 2022 data. Springfield, its largest city, contributes significantly to these numbers. Overall, residents face a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. Law enforcement agencies encourage community reporting, contributing to transparent statistics. While crime remains a concern, local initiatives aim to improve public safety and reduce these rates over time.