34-575: West Brookfield is a town in Worcester County , Massachusetts , United States. The population was 3,833 at the 2020 census . Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, and George and Charles Merriam , the publishers of Webster's Dictionary , were raised there. For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place West Brookfield, please see the article West Brookfield (CDP) , Massachusetts . West Brookfield
68-472: A female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% 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 3.01. In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
102-556: A given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such as the American Community Survey . This allows the calculation of per capita income for both the country as a whole and specific regions or demographic groups. However, comparing per capita income across different countries is often difficult, since methodologies, definitions and data quality can vary greatly. Since
136-668: A neighboring county. In Massachusetts, Sheriffs have more limited roles than most states and are responsible for corrections, court service and bailiffs and jail release programs. County Sheriffs in Massachusetts are elected to six-year terms. The Worcester County Sheriff is Lewis Evangelidis (R), and the Worcester County District Attorney is Joseph Early Jr. (D) (see the info-box for elected officials at county level). The Worcester County Conservation District has countywide boundaries. The county has
170-561: A regional planning commission. Massachusetts law allows regional compacts, traditional counties and other governmental entities. Traditional County governments in the state include Norfolk, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties. Barnstable County , which is Cape Cod, functions as a modern regional county government. Suffolk County, which is mainly Boston, is under the Boston City Council. The Massachusetts General Laws describe this relationship of county government and
204-458: A request to and a special act of the legislature, by local referendum, or by one of three mechanisms. See the references for the state statute, and the League of Women Voters link. 42°21′N 71°55′W / 42.35°N 71.91°W / 42.35; -71.91 Per capita income Per capita income ( PCI ) or average income measures the average income earned per person in
238-596: Is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts . At the 2020 census , the population was 862,111, making it the second-most populous county in Massachusetts. It is also the largest county in Massachusetts by geographic area. The largest city and traditional shire town is Worcester . Worcester County is part of the Worcester, MA–CT metropolitan statistical area and the Boston-Worcester-Providence combined statistical area . Worcester County
272-563: Is buried in the Old Indian Cemetery on Cottage Street in West Brookfield. The town is also home to the Rock House Reservation , a massive, cave-like rock shelter, exposed after the glacial retreat 10,000 years ago, that served as a winter camp for Native Americans. By the mid-1800s, it was part of a farm owned by William Adams whose descendant, F. A. Carter, dammed a small stream to create Carter Pond and built
306-618: The Greater Springfield area from the Greater Boston area. It stretches from the northern to the southern border of the state. The geographic center of Massachusetts is in Rutland . Worcester County is one of two Massachusetts counties that borders three different neighboring states; ( New Hampshire , Connecticut and Rhode Island ); the other being Berkshire County . They are also the only two counties to touch both
340-493: The poverty line , including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. The Merriam-Gilbert Public Library was built in 1880 when Charles Merriam (born in West Brookfield in 1806), famous for publishing the first Webster's Dictionary, provided the funding for the structure. After seven months of construction, the building was dedicated as the Merriam Public Library and Reading Room. The Library
374-451: The 1990s, the OECD has conducted regular surveys among its 38 member countries using a standardized methodology and set of questions. Per capita income is often used to measure a sector's average income and compare the wealth of different populations. Per capita income is also often used to measure a country's standard of living . When used to compare income levels of different countries, it
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#1732786607350408-409: The 283,927 households, 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 26.20% of households were one person and 10.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11. The age distribution was 25.60% under
442-399: The 303,080 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 39.2 years. The median household income
476-417: The age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males. The median household income was $ 47,874 and the median family income was $ 58,394. Males had a median income of $ 42,261 versus $ 30,516 for females. The per capita income for
510-841: The building accessible to the handicapped. The following includes the names of those who have served as Head Librarian (Director) throughout the Library's history: Thomas S. Knowlton, 1880–1894; Charlotte E. Wilbur, 1895–1899; Florence A. Johnson, 1900–1906; Mary P. Foster, 1907–1916; Helen P. Shackley, 1916–1948; Evelyn Hazen, 1948–1951; Freeda E. Huyck, 1951–1953; Doris Jones, 1954–1955; Mildred B. Grazier, 1956–1960; Isabel Smith, 1960–1965; Joanne Scobie, 1965–1967; Roberta M. Rhodes, 1967–1987; Mary Hulser, 1987–1997; Michael J. Bennett, 1997–1999; Louise Garwood (Interim), 1999–2000; Elizabeth Zemelka, 2000–2001; Lisa M. Careau, 2001–2011; Carrie Grimshaw, 2011–2015; Katie Marsh, 2015–2017; MaryAnne Pelletier, 2017-2024; Amy Agro, 2024-present. In fiscal year 2008,
544-518: The census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Worcester County is one of the 8 (of the total of 14) Massachusetts counties that have had no county government or county commissioners since July 1, 1998, when county functions were assumed by state agencies at local option following a change in state law. The county has an elected county sheriff, county prosecutor, and court officials, administered under
578-511: The cottage now serving as a trailside museum and nature center. The reservation is open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Admission is free to all. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 21.1 square miles (55 km), of which 20.5 square miles (53 km) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km), or 3.03%, is water. West Brookfield is bounded on the southeast by Brookfield , on
612-493: The county was $ 22,983. About 6.80% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over. At the 2010 census , there were 798,552 people, 303,080 households, and 202,602 families in the county. The population density was 528.6 inhabitants per square mile (204.1/km ). There were 326,788 housing units at an average density of 216.3 per square mile (83.5/km ). The racial makeup of
646-431: The county was 85.6% white, 4.2% black or African American, 4.0% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 3.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.2% were Irish , 15.1% were French as well as 6.7% French Canadians , 14.4% were Italian , 11.7% were English , 7.0% were Polish , 6.9% were German , and 3.2% were American . Of
680-593: The north by North Brookfield and New Braintree , on the west by Ware and on the southwest by Warren . Route 9 is the main route in town. Other routes include Route 67, Route 19 (which begins in West Brookfield), and Route 32. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,804 people, 1,362 households, and 965 families residing in the town. The population density was 185.8 inhabitants per square mile (71.7/km). There were 1,534 housing units at an average density of 74.9 per square mile (28.9/km). The racial makeup of
714-476: The northern and southern state lines. As of the 2020 census , 862,111 people resided in Worcester County. At the 2000 census , there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families in the county. The population density was 496 inhabitants per square mile (192/km ). There were 298,159 housing units at an average density of 197 per square mile (76/km ). The racial makeup of the county
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#1732786607350748-563: The options for abolishing county governments and/or chartering regional governmental compacts in subchapter 34 B. Four other new county compacts have been created by the state legislature in Hampshire, Franklin, Barnstable Counties, and a regional planning council level for Berkshire County. Thus 9 of 14 Counties have some form of county regional governments. Worcester County could exercise that option if it chooses, such as for public safety and/or preparedness due to its rather large geography, by
782-582: The state department of public safety. The state correctional system in the county is known as the Worcester County Jail or "House of Corrections" at West Boylston , and the Worcester County District courts (state administered) are housed at Worcester, Fitchburg, and other district courts within county boundaries. The Worcester County district attorney is a county-wide position even though the district includes one town from
816-576: The town of West Brookfield spent 3.11% ($ 167,532) of its budget on its public library—approximately $ 44 per person, per year ($ 57.98 adjusted for inflation to 2022). There is one public school in West Brookfield, West Brookfield Elementary School, serving grades K–6. West Brookfield is regionalized with Warren ; students in grades 7–12 from both towns attend Quaboag Regional Middle/High School in Warren . Worcester County, Massachusetts Worcester County ( / ˈ w ʊ s t ər / WUU -stər )
850-412: The town was 98.16% White , 0.32% Black or African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.24% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population. There were 1,362 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had
884-407: The years 1794 and 1798. At that time West Brookfield had a population greater than Worcester and was being considered for the county seat. Local legend has it that Diederik Leertouwer imported asparagus from his homeland and was the first to plant it in this area. This fact was forgotten until it was discovered in an old cookbook. Wild asparagus still grows in this area today. Leertouwer died here and
918-414: Was $ 64,152 and the median family income was $ 79,121. Males had a median income of $ 56,880 versus $ 42,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 30,557. About 6.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective of
952-408: Was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 49,722, and the median income for a family was $ 58,750. Males had a median income of $ 41,211 versus $ 29,783 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 21,501. About 4.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below
986-482: Was 89.61% White , 2.73% Black or African American , 0.25% Native American , 2.62% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 2.93% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 6.77%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.9% were of Irish , 12.3% Italian , 11.7% French , 8.0% French Canadian , 8.0% English , 5.6% Polish and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000 . 85.1% spoke English , 6.1% Spanish and 1.9% French as their first language. Of
1020-581: Was eventually re-dedicated in 1960 as the Merriam-Gilbert Public Library after it received an unexpected and generous bequest from Helen E. Gilbert, a former West Brookfield native. The exterior of the Library remains relatively unchanged with the exception of a cupola, which was destroyed in the Hurricane of 1938. Also, an elevator tower was discreetly added during the 1997 building renovation project that both refurbished and made
1054-741: Was first settled by Europeans in 1665 and was officially incorporated in 1848, splitting off from Brookfield , which was originally settled as part of the Quaboag Plantation . The town is believed to be the birthplace of asparagus in the New World. Diederik Leertouwer came to the United States in 1784 to promote trade between the Netherlands and New England. He later settled with his wife and daughter in West Brookfield where he carried out his duties as Consul and lived here between
West Brookfield, Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
1088-400: Was formed from the eastern portion of colonial Hampshire County , the western portion of the original Middlesex County and the extreme western portion of the original Suffolk County . When the government of Worcester County was established on April 2, 1731, Worcester was chosen as its shire town (later known as a county seat). From that date until the dissolution of the county government, it
1122-660: Was split in two, with the Worcester Northern registry placed in Fitchburg. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,579 square miles (4,090 km ), of which 1,511 square miles (3,910 km ) is land and 68 square miles (180 km ) (4.3%) is water. It is the largest county in Massachusetts by area. The county is larger geographically than the entire state of Rhode Island even including Rhode Island's water ocean limit boundaries. The county constitutes Central Massachusetts, separating
1156-549: Was the only county seat. Because of the size of the county, there were fifteen attempts over 140 years to split the county into two counties, but without success. Initially, Lancaster was proposed as the seat of the northern county; later, Petersham was proposed once and Fitchburg was proposed repeatedly, most recently in 1903. Perhaps as a concession, in August 1884 the Worcester County Registry of Deeds
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