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Belchertown, MA

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Belchertown, MA

Belchertown (previously known as Cold Spring and Belcher's Town) is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,350 at the 2020 census. The town includes the census-designated place of Belchertown. Belchertown was formerly the home of the Belchertown State School. The land on which the school sat is, as of 2016, being redeveloped for mixed uses including residential, commercial, and recreational. This includes the 385-acre (156 ha) Lampson Brook Farm, used for community and sustainable agriculture, outdoor recreation, and wildlife preservation.

The area encompassing the Town is part of a crossroads of Native trails in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts that indigenous people traveled including the Nipmuc and Norwottuck, or Nonotuck and Nolwotogg, among others. Artifacts found in the early 20th century just south of Dwight, near Lake Metacomet, suggest, "evidence of Native American occupations in Belchertown," that began some 7,000 years ago.

In 1716, the Equivalent Lands were sold by the Connecticut Colony to residents who reside in present-day Connecticut and Massachusetts. Some of these lands were granted to Jonathan Belcher, the future Royal Governor of Massachusetts. Belchertown was first settled in 1731 and was officially incorporated in 1761 as Cold Spring, later the name was changed to Belcher's Town, and then Belchertown. The Town’s historic villages include Dwight’s Station, Bardwell Village, Barrett’s Junction, and Slab City.

In 1816, part of Belchertown was combined with part of the town of Greenwich, Massachusetts, to form Enfield, Massachusetts. In 1938, Enfield and Greenwich were two of the four towns that were disincorporated to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir, and the northwest part of Enfield was merged back into Belchertown.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 55.4 square miles (143.4 km2), of which 52.7 square miles (136.6 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.8 km2) (4.77%) is water. Belchertown lies along the western banks of the western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir, with the lands around that water being part of the Quabbin Reservation. The town is hilly north of the town center, the hills forming part of the former Swift River Valley, with most of the rest of the town being relatively slowly sloping plains, spotted with plenty of meadowlands. Along the Swift River, which forms the eastern border of the town, lies the Herman Covey—Swift River Wildlife Management Area. Several other brooks and ponds dot the town's landscape, with some marshy lands lying along the Broad Brook.

Belchertown lies partially along the Franklin County line to the northeast and the Hampden County line to the south. It is bordered by Pelham to the north, New Salem to the northeast, Ware to the east, Palmer to the southeast, Ludlow to the southwest, and Granby and Amherst to the west. The town does not share a land border with New Salem but borders the town's territory on the Quabbin Reservoir. The town's center lies 14 miles (23 km) east-southeast of the county seat of Northampton, 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Springfield, 37 miles (60 km) west of Worcester and 77 miles (124 km) west of Boston. Most of the population is centered around the town center, with most of the town being rural-residential, especially around the smaller ponds near the villages of Dwight and North Station.

Belchertown places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Baystate Health offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness provide a comprehensive gym experience with a variety of fitness classes and personal training options. Start your fitness journey at D & D Fitness Factory in nearby Ware, where you can enjoy personal training and circuit training facilities. Clairly Differently and Serenity Yoga Wellness provide yoga classes for all levels, enhancing flexibility and mindfulness. Additionally, Belchertown Family Center offers various activities for kids and families, fostering a community spirit of wellness.

Top sites in Belchertown, MA are Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Cold Spring Country Club, and Mill Valley Golf Links.

Population: 14,987 (2025). ZIP code: 01007. Area code: 413. Elevation: 613 ft (187 m). Area: 55.4 sq mi (143.4 km²).

FAQs

What is Belchertown, MA famous for?

Belchertown perches atop a hill overlooking the Connecticut Valley to the west and the QuaboagValley to the east, its church spires visible for miles in all directions.  The famed Quabbin Reservoir and the University of Massachusetts draw thousands to and through the community annually. It is hard to imagine this land under seawater, but such was the case millions of years ago.

What is the crime rate in Belchertown, MA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 7 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Belchertown is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 65% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Belchertown is one in 152. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Belchertown‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 49% of the state's cities and towns.

Is Belchertown MA a good place to live?

Belchertown is a suburb of Springfield with a population of 15,228. Belchertown is in Hampshire County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Belchertown offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents own their homes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Belchertown

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Mount Holyoke Range State Park

Cold Spring Country Club

Mill Valley Golf Links

Baystate Health

Anytime Fitness

Planet Fitness

D & D Fitness Factory

Clairly Differently

Serenity Yoga Wellness

Belchertown Family Center

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.