Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 15,633 people, 5,734 households, and 4,432 families residing in the town. The population density was 1732.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of 651.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.69% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 5,734 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $75,461, and the median income for a family was $87,742. Males had a median income of $68,238 versus $40,890 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,949. About 1.0% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
serves all students in the town between grades 9 and 12. The town's elementary schools have been recently rebuilt, statements of interest for improvements to the two middle schools and Longmeadow High School were filed with the Massachusetts School Building Authority in 2007. In 2010, the voters of Longemeadow approved a 2.5% budget override to support the construction of a new 78 million dollar high school. The town received an estimated 34 million dollars in state funds to be used towards the new construction The High School is expected to be completed before the opening of the 2013 school year.
Longmeadow is known for its outstanding public education. The high school newspaper talked to 172 seniors in 2007, of whom 10 have decided to enroll in Ivy League colleges, 13 more in other schools in the top quarter of the US News & World Report "Top National Universities," including the US Air Force Academy.
Longmeadow also hosts three private parochial schools, the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA), Heritage Academy and St. Mary's Academy . LYA was established in 1946 in response to the Greater Springfield Jewish community's need for a quality Jewish day school. In 1999, LYA became the first Jewish day school to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The more than 120 students that the school serves each year from across the spectrum of Jewish life includes orthodox, conservative, reform and unaffiliated families. St. Mary's School, located behind St. Mary's church, serves Catholic students grades Pre-K through Grade 8.
Longmeadow is also known for its phenomenal music program. Approximately 50% of the students at Longmeadow High School participate in the music program. The choruses have won gold medals at the MICCA competition. The jazz ensemble has won numerous gold medals as well, but no longer competes. The wind ensemble and symphony orchestra have had the honor of performing in Indianapolis, Boston (Boston Symphony Hall), and New York (Carnegie Hall). In 2010, Longmeadow was awarded The American Prize in Orchestral Performance. The music program's crowning achievement has been receiving three national Grammy Awards based on the high level of excellence maintained throughout all groups in the music program.
football
game is very popular among residents of both towns. Longmeadow High School's team name is the Lancers. Other rivals include Minnechaug Regional High School, Agawam
, Springfield Central, Westfield
, and South Hadley. Approximately 85% of students are involved in sports at Longmeadow High School
.
The Longmeadow Lancers won 21 to 19 over the East Longmeadow Spartans at the Thanksgiving Day game in 2009. The game was played in Longmeadow.
In 2010, Longmeadow beat Springfield Central to capture the Western Massachusetts Super Bowl.
Census
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 were 15,633 people, 5,734 households, and 4,432 families residing in the town. The population density was 1732.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of 651.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.69% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 5,734 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $75,461, and the median income for a family was $87,742. Males had a median income of $68,238 versus $40,890 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,949. About 1.0% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Longmeadow public school system comprises six schools. Blueberry Hill School, Center School, and Wolf Swamp Road School are K-5 elementary schools. Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School serve grades 6–8. Longmeadow High SchoolLongmeadow High School
Longmeadow High School is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, United States.Longmeadow High School was founded in 1956 and enrolls approximately 1,100 students...
serves all students in the town between grades 9 and 12. The town's elementary schools have been recently rebuilt, statements of interest for improvements to the two middle schools and Longmeadow High School were filed with the Massachusetts School Building Authority in 2007. In 2010, the voters of Longemeadow approved a 2.5% budget override to support the construction of a new 78 million dollar high school. The town received an estimated 34 million dollars in state funds to be used towards the new construction The High School is expected to be completed before the opening of the 2013 school year.
Longmeadow is known for its outstanding public education. The high school newspaper talked to 172 seniors in 2007, of whom 10 have decided to enroll in Ivy League colleges, 13 more in other schools in the top quarter of the US News & World Report "Top National Universities," including the US Air Force Academy.
Longmeadow also hosts three private parochial schools, the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA), Heritage Academy and St. Mary's Academy . LYA was established in 1946 in response to the Greater Springfield Jewish community's need for a quality Jewish day school. In 1999, LYA became the first Jewish day school to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The more than 120 students that the school serves each year from across the spectrum of Jewish life includes orthodox, conservative, reform and unaffiliated families. St. Mary's School, located behind St. Mary's church, serves Catholic students grades Pre-K through Grade 8.
Longmeadow is also known for its phenomenal music program. Approximately 50% of the students at Longmeadow High School participate in the music program. The choruses have won gold medals at the MICCA competition. The jazz ensemble has won numerous gold medals as well, but no longer competes. The wind ensemble and symphony orchestra have had the honor of performing in Indianapolis, Boston (Boston Symphony Hall), and New York (Carnegie Hall). In 2010, Longmeadow was awarded The American Prize in Orchestral Performance. The music program's crowning achievement has been receiving three national Grammy Awards based on the high level of excellence maintained throughout all groups in the music program.
Athletics
Longmeadow is also known for excellence in athletics, particularly their rivalry against neighboring suburb, East Longmeadow, and their Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game is very popular among residents of both towns. Longmeadow High School's team name is the Lancers. Other rivals include Minnechaug Regional High School, Agawam
Agawam
- Native Americans :* Agawam of native Americans, eastern Essex County, Massachusetts, during colonial times, or their language- Municipalities :* Agawam, Massachusetts, USA* Agawam, Oklahoma, USA, a ghost town in Grady County- Rivers :...
, Springfield Central, Westfield
Westfield, Massachusetts
Westfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
, and South Hadley. Approximately 85% of students are involved in sports at Longmeadow High School
Longmeadow High School
Longmeadow High School is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, United States.Longmeadow High School was founded in 1956 and enrolls approximately 1,100 students...
.
Lacrosse
- Longmeadow is widely known for their storied high school lacrosse tradition in both the boys' and girls' programs. Since 1970, the first year of varsity play for the Boy's Lacrosse program at Longmeadow, the team has established a tradition of excellence and earned a position as one of the top programs in the State, winning MassachusettsMassachusettsThe 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...
State Championships (a total of 17) in 1970, '74–'75, '77, '79–'81, '83–'86, '88–90, '92 and '97 and most recently 2008 (Boys), a win over MedfieldMedfield, MassachusettsMedfield is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,024 according to the 2010 Census. Medfield is an affluent community about 17 miles southwest of Boston....
(14–10). The 1981 team was legendary coach Dan Stockwell's final year at the helm; the team went undefeated. - Longmeadow's Boys team has produced 36 All-American selections and 6 Academic All-American selections, and many of the lacrosse alumni have gone on to play lacrosse for top collegiate programs.
Football
- Longmeadow High School's Football team has gone to fourteen straight Western Mass-Central Mass Super Bowls under Head Coach Alex Rotsko.
- Longmeadow has won 8 of the 12 Western Mass-Central Mass Super Bowls (which began in 1997) and 10 overall since 1972. These Super Bowls can be broken down by: two Western Mass Super Bowls, three Division II Super Bowls, one Division IA, and four Division I Super Bowls.
- Four out of the last five seasons, the football team has gone undefeated, including back to back to back perfect seasons. The 2005 football (12–0) team beat LeominsterLeominster, MassachusettsLeominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
in the Division 1 Super Bowl 21–20 in Holyoke. - The 2006 team (12–0) beat LeominsterLeominster, MassachusettsLeominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
again, but in a more dominant fashion, 42–0 at Worcester State CollegeWorcester State CollegeWorcester State University is a public, four-year college founded in 1874 as Worcester Normal School in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Although WSC traditionally has an emphasis on education, business, and biotechnology, the College offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in over 20 academic...
. - The 2007 team finished 13–0, a school record due to the new playoff system, and beat LeominsterLeominster, MassachusettsLeominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
21–0 in the Division 1 Super Bowl at Westfield State CollegeWestfield State CollegeWestfield State University is a comprehensive, coeducational, four-year public university in Westfield, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1838 by noted educator and social reformer Horace Mann as the first public co-educational college in America without barrier to race, gender and economic class...
. - Longmeadow now holds a 47–0 record over the past 4 seasons, the best current streak in the state. Recently losing to East Longmeadow High SchoolEast Longmeadow High SchoolEast Longmeadow High School is a public high school located in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It is the only secondary school in the East Longmeadow School District. It enrolls approximately 800 students....
(ELHS) on 11/27/08 on the Thanksgiving Day game ending their 48–0 streak with a 16–13 score. They however went on to their 13th consecutive Super Bowl and won their 9th title over the Fitchburgh Red Raiders.
The Longmeadow Lancers won 21 to 19 over the East Longmeadow Spartans at the Thanksgiving Day game in 2009. The game was played in Longmeadow.
In 2010, Longmeadow beat Springfield Central to capture the Western Massachusetts Super Bowl.
Boys Tennis
- Longmeadow's Boys Tennis program has won twelve straight Western Mass titles (D1). In 2006, the team ended a 9 year losing streak to St. Johns (All 9 loses came in the state semi-final). Recently, the program proves to be a contender every year.
- Many players have gone on to play at the college level.
- The Longmeadow High School Boys' Tennis team has not lost a match against another Western Mass. team in four years.
Other Notable High School Sports
- In 2006 Longmeadow High School's Hockey Team was the Division III state champions, and again in 2010. They were the 2009 Western Mass Champions, and in 2007, they lost to East Longmeadow in the semifinals and in 2008 lost to WestfieldWestfield, MassachusettsWestfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
in the Western Mass finals. In 1980, the team went to Boston Garden for the first time, losing the Division II State Final to Barnstable in overtime. - The 2004 Girls Lacrosse were Division I State Champions. The girls lacrosse team currently holds a streak of more than 100 games won against Western Massachusetts opponents. The 2005, 2006 (Framingham), 2007 (Framingham), and 2008 (West Wood) teams have all been State Finalists.
- The 2004 Girls Soccer team were Division I Western Massachusetts Champions. Truly an underdog going into the finals and seeded 6th, they beat Cathedral to earn the spot against Minnechaug, the number one team. The team beat Cathedral in a shoot out and beat Minnechaug 1–0. Longmeadow went on to State Semi-Finals, losing to Nashoba 1–0.
- The Boy's basketball team won their first ever Western Massachusetts championship over West SpringfieldWest Springfield, MassachusettsThe Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 28,391 at the 2010 census...
in 2008 under head coach Tim Allen (a former standout at Longmeadow) - The 2007 Girl's Volleyball team won their first ever Western Mass championship over Amherst, MassachusettsAmherst, MassachusettsAmherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
. In 2008, they repeated, and beat East LongmeadowEast Longmeadow, MassachusettsAs of the census of 2010, there were 16,187 people, 5,248 households, and 3,988 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,087.1 people per square mile . There were 5,363 housing units at an average density of 413.5 per square mile...
in the Western Mass Finals. Both teams lost in the State-Semifinals, the 2008 team to Central Catholic. - In 2004 and 2005 the Golf team won back-to-back Division I state championships.
Notable residents
- J.H. ColtonJ.H. ColtonJoseph Hutchins Colton , known professionally as J.H. Colton, founded an American mapmaking company which was an international leader in the map publishing industry between 1831 and 1890....
- leading 19th century cartographer - Meghann FahyMeghann FahyMeghann Fahy is an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal and as Hannah O'Connor on One Life to Live.- Personal life :...
– One Life to LiveOne Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
character Hannah, Natalie on Broadway's Next To Normal - Jay HeapsJay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
– Professional soccer player for the New England RevolutionNew England RevolutionThe New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
and walk-on to Duke men's basketball team, where he played from 1996–1999 - Aaron LewisAaron LewisAaron Lewis, , is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the rock group Staind, with whom he has released seven studio albums. He has since ventured into country music with his debut solo album, Town Line...
– guitarist and vocalist for the band StaindStaindStaind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki... - Bridget MoynahanBridget MoynahanKathryn Bridget Moynahan , best known as Bridget Moynahan, is an American model and actress. After graduating from Longmeadow High School in 1989, Moynahan pursued a career in modeling. She was signed by a modeling agency, which led her to appear in department store catalogs and the covers of...
– model and actress - Steven PuruggananSteven PuruggananSteven Purugganan , an American of Filipino ancestry from Mount Kisco, New York, is a Guinness World Record Holder and was a 3-time World Champion Stacker...
, speed stacking world record holder - Anita ShreveAnita ShreveAnita Shreve is an American writer. The daughter of an airline pilot and a homemaker, she graduated from Dedham High School, attended Tufts University and began writing while working as a high school teacher in Reading MA. One of her first published stories, Past the Island, Drifting, was awarded...
– an award winning American writer. - John ChapmanJohnny AppleseedJohnny Appleseed , born John Chapman, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois...
(Johnny Appleseed) – an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. - Damien FaheyDamien FaheyDamien Richard Fahey is an MTV VJ, television host, and drummer.-Early life and family background:Fahey grew up in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and moved to the town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts during the summer of 1992...
– MTV VJ and host of TRL - Joey SantiagoJoey SantiagoJoey Santiago is a Filipino-American guitarist and composer. Active since 1986, Santiago is best known as the lead guitarist for the American alternative rock band Pixies. After the band's breakup in 1993, Santiago produced musical scores for film and television documentaries, and he formed The...
– Lead Guitarist for the influential alternative rockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Pixies. Grew up in Longmeadow and attended Longmeadow High School. - Craig E. Campbell, Alaska's Lieutenant Governor and retired National Guard Lieutenant General (AK).
- Johnny AppleseedJohnny AppleseedJohnny Appleseed , born John Chapman, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois...
-an American pioneer and renowned for planting apples across America