North Brookfield, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
North Brookfield is a town in Worcester County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 4,680 at the 2010 census.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place
North Brookfield, please see the article North Brookfield (CDP)
, Massachusetts
.
.
, the town has a total area of 21.7 square miles (56.2 km²), of which 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²) are land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), or 3.04%, is water. North Brookfield is bounded on the east by Spencer
, on the south by East Brookfield
and Brookfield
, on the west by West Brookfield
, and on the north by New Braintree
.
of 2000, there were 4,683 people, 1,811 households, and 1,235 families residing in the town. The population density
was 222.3 people per square mile (85.9/km²). There were 1,902 housing units at an average density of 90.3 per square mile (34.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.65% White, 0.34% Black or African American
, 0.26% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.36% from other races
, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 1,811 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,286, and the median income for a family was $51,750. Males had a median income of $37,647 versus $30,324 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $20,205. About 4.1% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
. The school system is one of the smallest in the region, as almost all nearby towns of similar size joined regional districts.
The private Valley View School and Mad Brook Academy are also located in North Brookfield.
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 4,680 at the 2010 census.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
North Brookfield, please see the article North Brookfield (CDP)
North Brookfield (CDP), Massachusetts
North Brookfield is a census-designated place in the town of North Brookfield in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,265 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, 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...
.
History
North Brookfield was first settled in 1664 and was officially incorporated in 1812, splitting from neighboring BrookfieldBrookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,390 at the 2010 census.-History:Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718...
.
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 21.7 square miles (56.2 km²), of which 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²) are land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), or 3.04%, is water. North Brookfield is bounded on the east by Spencer
Spencer, Massachusetts
Spencer is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,688 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Spencer, please see the article Spencer , Massachusetts....
, on the south by East Brookfield
East Brookfield, Massachusetts
East Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,183 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place East Brookfield, please see the article East Brookfield , Massachusetts.- History :East Brookfield was...
and Brookfield
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,390 at the 2010 census.-History:Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718...
, on the west by West Brookfield
West Brookfield, Massachusetts
West Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,701 at the 2010 census. Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, and Noah Webster published his dictionary there....
, and on the north by 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....
.
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 were 4,683 people, 1,811 households, and 1,235 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...
was 222.3 people per square mile (85.9/km²). There were 1,902 housing units at an average density of 90.3 per square mile (34.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.65% White, 0.34% 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...
, 0.26% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.36% 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 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 1,811 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were 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, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,286, and the median income for a family was $51,750. Males had a median income of $37,647 versus $30,324 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 was $20,205. About 4.1% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Library
The North Brookfield public library was established in 1879. In fiscal year 2008, the town of North Brookfield spent 0.84% ($92,958) of its budget on its public library—some $19 per person.Education
There are two public schools in North Brookfield, North Brookfield Elementary School, serving grades K-6, and North Brookfield Junior-Senior High SchoolNorth Brookfield High School
North Brookfield High School is a public high school in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. The school serves the residents of North Brookfield exclusively, making it one of the smallest high schools in the region. Recently, a new building was built next to the old one. The construction was completed...
. The school system is one of the smallest in the region, as almost all nearby towns of similar size joined regional districts.
The private Valley View School and Mad Brook Academy are also located in North Brookfield.
Notable residents
- Tryphosa Bates-BatchellerTryphosa Bates-BatchellerTryphosa Bates-Batcheller , born Tryphosa Duncan Bates, was an American socialite, club woman and concert singer...
(1876–1952), writer, socialite and singer - Bill BergenBill BergenWilliam Aloysius "Bill" Bergen was a Major League Baseball catcher in the early 20th century. Bergen was born in North Brookfield, Massachusetts on June 13, 1878...
, National League baseball player with the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers, younger brother of Marty Bergen - Marty Bergen, Boston Beaneaters player, triple murderer
- William Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant was an American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post.-Youth and education:...
poet, journalist and editor of the New York Evening Post. - George M. CohanGeorge M. CohanGeorge Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
, entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, director - Frank CookeFrank CookeFrank Cooke was an American entrepreneur who lived within, and started a high-tech optical business in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. He was born in 1913 and died at the age of 92 in 2005.-Education and experience:...
, optics designer and manufacturer - Big Al DowningAl Downing (musician)Al Downing , later known as Big Al Downing, was an entertainer, singer, songwriter, and pianist. He received the Billboard's New Artist of the Year and the Single of the Year Award in 1979. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and was a frequent performer at the Grand Ole Opry...
, country and rockabilly musician - Richard B. JohnsonRichard B. JohnsonRichard Brian Johnson is the author of the book Abominable Firebug which presents his account of daily life at the Lyman School for Boys. Johnson invented the Rubber Ducky antenna while attending the Lyman School for Boys. Johnson went on to a career as an engineer and inventor. He also created...
, author of Abominable FirebugAbominable Firebug-Synopsis and style:This book is a chronology of the early life of the author, Richard B. Johnson, starting in the town of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. It begins at about the age of two and continues until Johnson is 21 years of age...
(ISBN 0-595-38667-9) which details his childhood in North Brookfield, attending the “Yellow School” across from the “Asbestos Shop.” Later he writes about the Lyman School for BoysLyman School for BoysThe Lyman School for Boys was established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts about 1886 and was closed in 1971. It was the first reform school, or training school in the United States, replacing the State Reform School near the same site, which was opened in 1846...
, the reform schoolReform schoolA reform school in the United States was a term used to define, often somewhat euphemistically, what was often essentially a penal institution for boys, generally teenagers.-History:...
he attended. - Amasa WalkerAmasa WalkerAmasa Walker was an American economist and United States Representative, and was the father of Francis Amasa Walker.-Biography:...
, Economist, United States Representative and father of Francis Amasa WalkerFrancis Amasa WalkerFrancis Amasa Walker was an American economist, statistician, journalist, educator, academic administrator, and military officer in the Union Army. Walker was born into a prominent Boston family, the son of the economist and politician Amasa Walker, and he graduated from Amherst College at the age... - Francis Amasa WalkerFrancis Amasa WalkerFrancis Amasa Walker was an American economist, statistician, journalist, educator, academic administrator, and military officer in the Union Army. Walker was born into a prominent Boston family, the son of the economist and politician Amasa Walker, and he graduated from Amherst College at the age...
, economist, statistician, journalist, educator, president of MIT, and military officer in the Union Army.
Further reading
- Temple, Josiah Howard; Adams, Charles, History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts: Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783, Pub. by the town [Boston, printed], 1887