RANK #304 / 996 · POP 153,931 · MA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.5%
Northampton, the county seat, stands out in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, a region known for its academic institutions and natural scenery. Located in Western Massachusetts, roughly 90 miles west of Boston, the county offers a different pace than the state's eastern urban centers. Commuting to Boston is a two-hour drive, though public transportation options exist from nearby areas. The area is characterized by rolling green hills and a mix of rural and developed towns, with extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking on rail trails, and water sports.
Life in Hampshire County often revolves around its academic community, with the Five Colleges (Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst) contributing to the area's character. Public schools in towns like Northampton and Amherst are recognized for their quality. The economy is seeing new investment in technology sectors, including food science and quantum innovation, particularly around the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This contributes to a local economy that blends educational institutions with emerging industries.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Westfield Data Center Campus
Servistar Realties, LLC
|
$3,000M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hampshire County has a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, ranking #304 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $84,025, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Hampshire County is $344,200 with median rent at $1,263/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2441, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -4.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.55% of Hampshire County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.