Hampshire County, Massachusetts
Hampshire County, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
|
Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts | |
| Coordinates: 42°20′N 72°40′W / 42.34°N 72.66°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1662 |
| Named after | Hampshire, England |
| Seat | Northampton |
| Largest town | Amherst |
| Area | |
• Total | 545 sq mi (1,410 km2) |
| • Land | 527 sq mi (1,360 km2) |
| • Water | 18 sq mi (47 km2) 3.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 162,308 |
• Estimate (2024) | 165,399 |
| • Density | 308/sq mi (119/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd |
| Website | visithampshirecounty.com |
Hampshire County is a historical and judicial county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 162,308. Its most populous municipality is Amherst (due to seasonal student population; the largest year-round is Northampton, which is also its traditional county seat), and its largest town in terms of landmass is Belchertown. The county is named after the county Hampshire, in England. Hampshire County is part of the Springfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Together with Hampden County, Hampshire County municipalities belong to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.