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Ware, MA

Frequently asked questions

Ware, MA

Ware is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,066 as of 2020. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The census-designated place of Ware, comprising the main settlement of the town, is in the southeastern corner of the town. The area's students are served by Ware Junior Senior High School.

Ware was first settled on Equivalent Lands in 1717 and was officially incorporated in 1775. Its name derives from the word "weir." The native Americans who settled in the area would construct weirs for trapping fish on the Ware River. The English settlers pronounced the word "ware."

In 1716, a tract of land that was slightly more than 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) in size was granted to John Read. He named it "The Manor of Peace" and had it in mind to develop in the style of an English manor, anticipating that it would later become a very valuable country estate. He leased out the land and did not sell 1 acre (4,000 m²) until after his death when he bequeathed a gift of 200 acres (0.81 km²) to serve as a ministry lot. As time passed, the town of Ware grew up around the old Congregational meeting house and later became a small center of local manufacturing and commerce.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.0 square miles (103.5 km²), of which 34.4 square miles (89.0 km²) are land and 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), or 14.01%, is water. Ware lies at the southern end of the Quabbin Reservoir and the Quabbin Reservation. The reservation lands within the town include two islands, the former Little Quabbin Hill and Mount Lizzie, neither of which were covered by the waters of the reservoir. The Swift River forms the western boundary of the town, and the Ware River flows through the southeastern part of the town, meeting in Palmer to form the Chicopee River (along with the Quaboag River), which flows into the Connecticut River. The lands of Ware are hilly between the valleys of the Swift and Ware rivers, and much of the land not surrounding the central part of town is heavily forested, with marshes lining the Ware River in spots. Along the Swift River lies the Herman Covey–Swift River Wildlife Management Area.

Ware is the easternmost town in Hampshire County and is bordered by Franklin County to the north, Worcester County to the east, and Hampden County to the south. The town is bordered by New Salem to the northwest, Petersham to the north, Hardwick to the northeast, New Braintree and West Brookfield to the east, a small portion of Warren to the southeast, Palmer to the south, and Belchertown to the west. (There is no land link between New Salem or Petersham and Ware due to the Quabbin Reservoir.) Downtown Ware lies 24 miles (39 km) east-southeast of the county seat of Northampton, 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Springfield, 30 miles (48 km) west of Worcester, and 72 miles (116 km) west of Boston.

Ware places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Baystate Wing Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. D&D Fitness Factory and Planet Fitness are popular gyms that offer a wide range of exercise equipment and fitness classes. Ware River Nature Club provides outdoor enthusiasts with guided nature walks and bird-watching sessions to promote physical activity and mental relaxation. Yoga Sanctuary provides yoga classes for all skill levels, focusing on mindfulness and flexibility. Quabbin Reservoir is a favorite spot for hiking, fishing, and boating, allowing visitors to enjoy physical activity in a beautiful natural setting. East Quabbin Land Trust offers trails and outdoor activities that encourage community engagement and physical fitness.

Top sites in Ware, MA are Gibbs Crossing, Ware Center Meetinghouse, Quabbin Observation Tower, and Workshop13.

Population: 5,723 (2023). ZIP Code: 01082. Elevation: 475 ft (145 m). Area Code: 413. Area: 40.0 square miles (103.5 km²).

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Ware, MA?

Ware has an overall crime rate of 10 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Ware is 1 in 101. Ware's crime rate is lower than approximately 32% of Massachusetts communities. However, compared to other communities of similar population size, Ware has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Ware is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

What are the demographics of Ware, MA?

With 10,067 people, Ware is the 183rd most populated city in the state of Massachusetts out of 351 cities. The largest Ware racial/ethnic groups are White (90.5%) followed by Hispanic (4.2%) and Black (2.9%). In 2022, the median household income of Ware households was $66,250. Ware households made slightly more than Fitchburg households ($65,963). It looks like Fitchburg is keeping up with the Joneses. However, 6.6% of Ware families live in poverty. The median age for Ware residents is 42.9 years young.

Is Ware, MA a good place to live?

Ware is in Hampshire County. Living in Ware offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Ware, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Ware and residents tend to have moderate political views.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Ware

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Massachusetts Demographics

Gibbs Crossing 

Ware Center Meetinghouse 

Quabbin Observation Tower 

Workshop13

Baystate Wing Hospital

D&D Fitness Factory

Planet Fitness 

Ware River Nature Club

Yoga Sanctuary

Quabbin Reservoir

East Quabbin Land Trust 

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