Springfield
RANK #312 / 996 NAT · #1 / 12 MA · POP 464,575
1YR FORECAST: +3.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Hampden County, located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, offers a blend of urban, suburban, and rural environments. Springfield, the largest city and county seat, is a cultural and economic hub, home to attractions like the Basketball Hall of Fame and the 735-acre Forest Park. The county is bisected by the Connecticut River and features mountains to the west and valleys to the east, providing ample outdoor recreation opportunities in state forests such as Chester-Blandford and Granville. Public transportation is available through the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), serving many of the county's cities and towns. Life in Hampden County often appeals to families seeking a balance between community and access to amenities. Towns like Longmeadow are noted for their schools and suburban atmosphere. The economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. While the county has a history rooted in manufacturing, there is ongoing investment in various sectors, including energy, contributing to its evolving economic landscape.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New England Wind Offshore Wind Project (partial contribution to Hampden County energy supply)
Avangrid
|
$1,900M | Approved |
|
Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm (partial contribution to Hampden County energy supply)
Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
|
$806M | Under Construction |
|
Hampden Battery Storage Project
Undisclosed (active in ISO-NE interconnection queue)
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Community Solar & Battery Storage Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (BWC East Brook, LLC, ASD Three Rivers Road MA Solar LLC, NSTAR Electric Company, Blandford Sun, LLC, Mt. Tom Solar, LLC, etc.)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 68/100, Hampden County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $66,619 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MA.
Housing in Hampden County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $258,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,051/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Hampden County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +2.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.42% of Hampden County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.