Chicopee, MA

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Introduction to Chicopee, Massachusetts

Chicopee, Massachusetts, in Hampden county, is 80 miles W of Boston, Massachusetts. It's situated along the Connecticut River in the Pioneer Valley and is included in the Springfield Massachusetts metropolitan area. The Chicopee River runs through the southern portion of the town. It includes a collection of distinct neighborhoods. The city is home to Westover Air Reserve Base.

Chicopee Provision Company is a primary producer of Polish kielbasa for the Blue Seal brand. In the early years, the city was primarily filled with Polish and French Canadian residents. In the past, Chicopee was a prominent mill town. It's one of the larger cities in Western Massachusetts. Manufacturing, trade and services are important parts of the local economy.

Chicopee History

The Nipmuck Indians were residing in the region before the English arrived. The word "Chicopee" is from the Nipmuck language. The town was settled in 1640 and was included in Springfield until 1848. During the 19th century the cotton mills, brass foundries, wool mills and iron foundries were thriving. The Ames Manufacturing Company produced a large number of machines, swords and bronze cannons. The Ames swords were used during the Civil War.

Chicopee Attractions

• Chicopee Falls Dam was built with masonry stones.
• The Chicopee City Hall was constructed with similarities to the Palazzo Vecchio located in Florence, Italy.
• The historic center of Chicopee.
• Edward Bellamy Homestead is a National Historic Landmark.

Chicopee Activities

The Chicopee Memorial State Park is a vast acreage and is a popular recreational area. The extensive riverbanks provide the residents with recreational opportunities and excellent views. The nearby Robinson State Park, Goat Peak Lookout Trail and Mount Tom State Reservation are popular areas for hiking enthusiasts. Skiers enjoy the close by Blandford Ski Area. There are numerous golf courses in the region including the Orchards Golf Course.

Chicopee Higher Education

Elms College is located in Chicopee. The nearby University of Massachusetts and American International College provide opportunities for higher education.

Chicopee Transportation

Air travel services are available from the close by Bradley International Airport. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority offers bus service. Amtrak provides rail transportation from nearby Springfield.

High Points

Chicopee strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Massachusetts):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 6%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 11%
Affordability of Rents (vs. State)	Top 12%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. State)	Top 15%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. State)	Top 17%

Comparative Profile of Chicopee, MA

Comparing Chicopee to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Massachusetts (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Female Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
Male Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Chicopee Almanac

Chicopee Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Chicopee Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Chicopee, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Chicopee Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Starbucks in Chicopee

Chicopee High Schools (2004)

CHICOPEE COMPREHENSIVE HS
617 MONTGOMERY STREET
413-594-3534
Serves 1,240 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

CHICOPEE HIGH
650 FRONT STREET
413-594-3437
Serves 1,000 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

CHAPIN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
40 MEADOW STREET
413-594-3434
A Non-traditional School
Serves 91 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 9.1

Chicopee Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

College of Our Lady of the Elms

(List of All Massachusetts Colleges)

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