The Pioneer Valley
The Pioneer Valley region encompasses 43 cities and towns in the Connecticut River Valley in western Massachusetts, an area framed on the west by the Berkshires and on the east by the central uplands. An estimated 602,000 people live in the nearly 1,200-square-mile region, which includes the fourth largest metropolitan area in New England.
The Pioneer Valley's diverse economic base, its renowned academic institutions, and its wealth of natural resources make it a unique and special place to live and work. The Connecticut River, its fertile agricultural valley, and the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains wrap the region in scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. Residents live in downtown areas, suburban neighborhoods, quiet villages, historic areas, and rural homesteads. People work in downtown offices in Springfield, the region's cultural and economic center; in plants and factories in Holyoke and Chicopee, the first planned industrial communities in the nation; in academic halls in Amherst, Northampton, and South Hadley, home to venerable colleges and a flagship university; in tobacco fields in Hadley, where families have worked the land for generations; in distribution centers in Westfield, near the crossroads of two interstate highways; and in offices of Internet service providers scattered throughout the region.
The Pioneer Valley is a region of contrasts, a meeting ground for many cultures, and, above all, the place we call home.
The Region's Changing Population
During the 1990s, the population of the Pioneer Valley region grew by nearly one percent. This modest growth coincided with increasing urban sprawl. The population of the region's most urbanized areas either declined or remained fairly stable while substantial growth occurred in outlying communities.
The three largest cities, Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, each experienced population declines. In aggregate, their population declined by 10,746, or 4.2%. In sharp contrast is Belchertown's experience, which grew by 2,389 residents, or 22.6%. Southwick, another rural community, grew by 1,168 residents, or 15.2%.
As expected the region's Latino population grew substantially, by 51.3%. This was even greater than the statewide rate of 49.1%. While the bulk of this growth occurred within the regionís urban core (20,467 of the 25,457 new Latino residents), significant increases occurred in many places throughout the Valley. Agawam, Amherst, Ludlow, Northampton, Westfield, and West Springfield are among those communities with the greatest gain of Latinos.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to report population changes by racial categories. Census 2000 was the first census allowing respondents to identify with more than one race. During previous censuses, respondents were restricted to selecting one race. Thus, one cannot determine to what extent the population difference for any race is a result of a change in population rather than the difference reflecting additional races being selected by long-time residents.
The data reported in this publication is from the first Census 2000 data to be released. Over the next few years the U.S. Census Bureau will continue releasing the results of Census 2000, each release coming with greater detail. A schedule of planned releases from Census 2000 is at http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/releaseschedule.html.