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Holyoke, MA

Frequently asked questions

Holyoke, MA

Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2022 census, the city had a population of 37,720. Located 8 miles (13 km) north of Springfield, Holyoke is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Area, one of the two distinct metropolitan areas in Massachusetts.

Holyoke is among the early planned industrial cities in the United States. Built-in tandem with the Holyoke Dam to utilize the water power of Hadley Falls, it is one of a handful of cities in New England built on the grid plan. During the late 19th century the city produced an estimated 80% of the writing paper used in the United States and was home to the largest paper mill architectural firm in the country, as well as the largest paper, silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world. Although a considerably smaller number of businesses in Holyoke work in the paper industry today, it is still commonly referred to as "The Paper City". Today the city contains several specialty manufacturing companies, as well as the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, an intercollegiate research facility that opened in 2012. Holyoke is also home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame and known as the "Birthplace of Volleyball", as the internationally played Olympic sport was invented and first played at the local YMCA chapter by William G. Morgan in 1895.

While managing the Holyoke Testing Flume in the 1880s, hydraulic engineer Clemens Herschel invented the Venturi meter to determine the water use of individual mills in the Holyoke Canal System. This device, the first accurate means of measuring large-scale flows, is widely used in several engineering applications today, including waterworks and carburators, as well as aviation instrumentation. Powered by these municipally-owned canals, Holyoke has among the lowest electricity costs in the Commonwealth, and as of 2016, between 85% and 90% of the city's energy was carbon neutral, with administrative goals in place to reach 100% in the future.

Holyoke is located at 42°12′11″N 72°37′26″W (42.203191, −72.623969). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.8 square miles (59 km2), of which 21.3 square miles (55 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (6.70%) is water. The city is bordered by Southampton and Westfield to the west, Easthampton to the north, Hadley, South Hadley, and Chicopee as river borders to the east, and West Springfield to the south.

Holyoke is the location of East Mountain, the Mount Tom Range, and Mount Tom, at 1,202 feet (366 m) the highest traprock peak on the Metacomet Ridge, a linear mountain range that extends from Long Island Sound to the Vermont border. The most densely populated area, lying between the Mount Tom Range and the Connecticut River, is characterized by a series of terraces separated by wooded ravines, known as dingles, which drain to the river. Mount Tom is characterized by its high cliffs, sweeping vistas, and microclimate ecosystems. The 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the Mount Tom Range and East Mountain. Fossilized dinosaur tracks and specimens can be found at the foot of these mountains due to their unique geology. A species of dinosaur, Podokesaurus holyokensis, whose fossils were first discovered across the river in South Hadley, was given its name for the area, and the city has in recent years passed measures to try to protect fossils in parks from theft or vandalism.

The Holyoke Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, was named a top hospital by The Leapfrog Group in 2016, and 2018 received multiple awards for its stroke care from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the American Heart Association. The city's Providence Behavioral Health Hospital offers several programs for psychiatric health as well, with an emphasis on new substance abuse treatment programs. It has been affiliated with the Sisters of Providence of Holyoke, who have operated medical facilities in the city since they first received their charter in 1892.

The Soldiers' Home in Holyoke is one of two state-operated veterans healthcare facilities in the Commonwealth, offering long-term residential care as well as outpatient services to Massachusetts veterans. In 2018, the facility received high marks from the Department of Veterans Affairs, showing improved safety measures for elderly residents and no deficiencies in provided care.

Top sites in Holyoke, MA are Mount Tom State Reservation, Holyoke Mall, Dinosaur Footprints, and Children's Museum at Holyoke.

Population: 35,654 (2023). ZIP codes: 01040, 01041 (P.O.). Area code: 413. Elevation: 200 ft (60 m). Area: 59.05 km².

FAQs

What is Holyoke MA famous for?

Holyoke's development was rapid. Within 30 years, America recognized it as the "Queen of Industrial Cities", and soon after as the "Paper City of the World". Textiles were the first major product of the City, quickly followed by paper. As a major force, the cotton mills did not last, as the Civil War cut off raw cotton supplies from the South. Paper grew as the dominant force in the City, and at one time over 25 paper mills were in operation.

Is Holyoke, MA a nice town?

Holyoke is a suburb of Springfield with a population of 38,210. Holyoke is in Hampden County. Living in Holyoke offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Holyoke, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Holyoke and residents tend to be liberal.

What is the crime rate in Holyoke, MA?

With a crime rate of 47 per one thousand residents, Holyoke has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Within Massachusetts, more than 100% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Holyoke. In fact, after researching dangerous places to live, NeighborhoodScout found Holyoke to be one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Holyoke

Neighborhood Scout

Niche

Mount Tom State Reservation 

Holyoke Mall 

Dinosaur Footprints 

Children's Museum at Holyoke

Sisters of Providence of Holyoke

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