Fun In New England - Massachusetts

Chicopee

Official Website: www.chicopee.ma.us
County: Hampden
Region: Springfield Area
Year Settled: 1652
Incorporated as a Town: 1848
Incorporated as a City: 1890
Land Area: 22.9 sq. miles
Population Density: 2,390 people/sq mile
Population from Census 2000: 54,653
Estimated Population for 2006: 54,428
Racial makeup of population: [+] show
86.9%White
2.0%Black
8.8%Hispanic
0.9%Asian
0.1%Native American
1.4%Other
Median Household Income (2005): $38,000
Median Housing Unit Value in 2000: $102,000
Median Single Family House Sale Price in 2006: $167,000
Poverty: 12.3%
Violent Crime Index: 45 (high)
Property Crime Index: 44 (high)
Crime compared to USA: Average
Nearest Hospital (ER): Holyoke Hospital (Holyoke), Baystate Medical Center (Springfield), Mercy Hospital (Springfield)
Villages/Neighborhoods: Aldenville, Willimansett, Chicopee Center (Cabotville), Chicopee Falls, Fairview
Known For: Westover Air Reserve Base, kielbasa
Main Attractions: Chicopee Memorial State Park
Parks: Chicopee Memorial State Park, Szot Park, (+17 other small parks)
Lakes & Ponds: Chicopee Reservoir, Bemis Pond, Robert's Pond

Chicopee is an urban city between Springfield and Holyoke. It is the second most populous city in Western Massachusetts. Prior to 1848 it was part of Springfield. Chicopee is a multi-ethnic city with a large population of Polish and French Canadians and a growing number of Hispanics. Chicopee used to be a manufacturing town with many mills and factories along the Chicopee and Connecticut Rivers. Today there are a few factories along with many smaller businesses. Westover Air Reserve base is an active military base in the northeastern corner of Chicopee. During World War II and through the Vietnam War it was a very busy Air Force Base. Today the base is mostly known for the 439th Airlift Wing and the C-5 Galaxy aircraft that often circle overhead and also the Great New England Air Show which is held every couple years. Chicopee is at the crossroads of several major highways including I-90, I-91, I-391, and I-291.

Chicopee is not known for tourism. Besides the air show, the only major attractions in the city are Chicopee Memorial State Park and the World Kielbasa Festival (moved to the Big E grounds in West Springfield in 2016). Chicopee is also home to Elms College which is a private Catholic four-year liberal arts college. The city is divided into several fairly distinct neighborhoods which are a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial developments. The most commercialized area is Memorial Drive (Route 33) which consists of many shopping centers, businesses, hotels, and restaurants along with connections to Westover ARB and the Mass Pike (I-90).

Best Chicopee Restaurants

Also notable for take-out is: