Barre, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Barre is a town in Worcester County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.
, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial governor of Massachusetts
. But on November 7, 1776, it was renamed Barre in honor of Isaac Barré
, a champion of the American Colonies.
, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles (115.5 km²), of which 44.3 square miles (114.7 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), or 0.63%, is water. Barre is drained by the Ware River
.
Barre is bordered by Hubbardston
to the northeast, Rutland
and Oakham
to the southeast, New Braintree
to the south, Hardwick
to the southwest, Petersham
to the northwest, and a small portion of Phillipston
to the north.
of 2000, there are 5,113 people, 1,889 households, and 1,377 families residing in the town. The population density
is 115.3 people per square mile (44.5/km²). There are 1,988 housing units at an average density of 44.8 per square mile (17.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.63% White, 0.51% Black or African American
, 0.10% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.29% from other races
, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,889 households out of which 36.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% are married couples
living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% are non-families. 22.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $50,553, and the median income for a family is $56,069. Males have a median income of $40,284 versus $29,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town is $20,476. 3.4% of the population and 1.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.5% of those under the age of 18 and 2.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
At one time, extending from 1840 into the twentieth century, it was home to the Barre Massachusetts Institution for the Education of Feeble Minded Youth.
Barre is home to Stetson School
.
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.
History
Originally called the Northwest District of RutlandRutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm...
, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial governor of Massachusetts
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
. But on November 7, 1776, it was renamed Barre in honor of Isaac Barré
Isaac Barré
Isaac Barré was an Irish soldier and politician. He earned distinction serving with the British army during the Seven Years' War, and later became a prominent Member of Parliament where he became a vocal supporter of William Pitt. He is known for coining the term "Sons of Liberty" in reference to...
, a champion of the American Colonies.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles (115.5 km²), of which 44.3 square miles (114.7 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), or 0.63%, is water. Barre is drained by the Ware River
Ware River
The Ware River is a river in central Massachusetts. It has two forks, the longest of which begins near Hubbardston, Massachusetts...
.
Barre is bordered by Hubbardston
Hubbardston, Massachusetts
Hubbardston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town population was 4,382.- History :...
to the northeast, Rutland
Rutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm...
and Oakham
Oakham, Massachusetts
Oakham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,902 at the 2010 census.- History :Oakham was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1762...
to the southeast, New Braintree
New Braintree, Massachusetts
New Braintree is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 999 at the 2010 census.- History :New Braintree was first settled in 1709 and was officially incorporated in 1751....
to the south, Hardwick
Hardwick, Massachusetts
Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :...
to the southwest, Petersham
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
to the northwest, and a small portion of Phillipston
Phillipston, Massachusetts
Phillipston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,682 at the 2010 census.- History :Phillipston was first settled in 1751, and incorporated as the town of Gerry in 1786...
to the north.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there are 5,113 people, 1,889 households, and 1,377 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 115.3 people per square mile (44.5/km²). There are 1,988 housing units at an average density of 44.8 per square mile (17.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.63% White, 0.51% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.10% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,889 households out of which 36.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% are married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% are non-families. 22.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $50,553, and the median income for a family is $56,069. Males have a median income of $40,284 versus $29,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town is $20,476. 3.4% of the population and 1.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.5% of those under the age of 18 and 2.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
Barre is home to the Quabbin Regional High School and to Ruggles Lane Elementary School.At one time, extending from 1840 into the twentieth century, it was home to the Barre Massachusetts Institution for the Education of Feeble Minded Youth.
Barre is home to Stetson School
Stetson School
The Stetson School is a private residential institution located in Barre, Massachusetts.-History:Founded in 1899, by Henry Augustus Pevear, and then known as the Stetson Home for Boys began as an orphanage. It supported itself as a commercial dairy farm wherein each of its capable residents worked...
.
Government
Sites of interest
Notable residents
- David Oliver AllenDavid Oliver AllenDavid Oliver Allen was an American missionary, born at Barre, Massachusetts.He graduated at Amherst College in 1823, studied at Andover Theological Seminary, and in 1827 went to Bombay, India as a missionary. In 1844 he took charge of the Bombay printing establishment. He wrote tracts in Mahratta,...
, missionary and author - Stephen BrewerStephen BrewerStephen Brewer is a current Massachusetts state senator.He was born and raised in the town of Barre, Massachusetts. He rose through the ranks of local government to become a member of the Massachusetts Senate for the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin District.As the Senate Chair for the...
, state senator - Timothy JenkinsTimothy JenkinsTimothy Jenkins was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Barre, Massachusetts, Jenkins located in Washington County, New York, in 1817.He pursued an academic course.He studied law....
, congressman - Walker LewisWalker LewisWalker Lewis was an early African American abolitionist, Freemason, and Mormon elder from Massachusetts.-Family and personal history:Lewis was born Friday, August 3, 1798 in Barre, Massachusetts to Peter P. Lewis and Minor Walker Lewis. His full name was Kwaku Walker Lewis, named after his...
, black abolitionist, Masonic Grand Master of African Grand Lodge #1, and MormonMormonThe term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
Elder - Joseph B. PlummerJoseph B. PlummerJoseph Bennett Plummer was a career soldier in the United States Army, serving as a general during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
, general - Daniel RugglesDaniel RugglesDaniel Ruggles was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He commanded a division at the Battle of Shiloh.-Biography:Ruggles was born in Barre, Massachusetts, in 1810...
, Confederate general