RANK #196 / 996 · POP 464,575 · MA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.1%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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.
Hampden County has a Boom Town Index score of 80/100, ranking #196 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $66,619, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Hampden County is $258,100 with median rent at $1,051/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2581, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +2.8% in the past 12 months.