Berkshire County, Massachusetts

County in Massachusetts, United States

"Berkshire County" redirects here. For the Royal County of Berkshire in England, see Berkshire.

County in Massachusetts

Berkshire County

County

Berkshire County Courthouse

Flag

Seal

Motto(s):

Firmus et Paratus
(Latin "Steadfast and Ready")

Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts

Massachusetts's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 42°23′46″N 73°12′36″W﻿ / ﻿42.39613°N 73.209892°W﻿ / 42.39613; -73.209892
Country|  United States
State|  Massachusetts
Founded| April 24, 1761
Named after| Berkshire, England
Seat| Pittsfield
Largest city| Pittsfield
Area

• Total

| 946 sq mi (2,450 km2)
• Land| 927 sq mi (2,400 km2)
• Water| 20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 129,026

• Estimate

(2023)

| 126,818
• Density| 140/sq mi (53/km2)
Demonym| Berkshirite[1]
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Bash Bish Falls, in the Taconic Range, Appalachian Mountains The Berkshire Hills, part of the Appalachian Mountains, in winter

Berkshire County (pronounced /ˈbɜːrkʃər/) is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 129,026.[2] Its largest city and traditional county seat is Pittsfield.[3] The county was founded in 1761.[4] The Berkshire Hills are centered on Berkshire County. Residents are known as Berkshirites. It exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government, with the exception of the retirement board for former county workers, and the offices of the sheriff and the registrar of deeds.

## Law and government

[edit]

Of the fourteen Massachusetts counties, Berkshire County is one of eight that exists today only as a historical geographic region; it has limited county government. Berkshire County government was abolished effective July 1, 2000. Most former county functions were assumed by state agencies, and there is no county council or commission.[5] The sheriff became a Commonwealth employee, but remains locally elected to perform duties within the county region and retains administrative and operational control over the Berkshire Sheriff's Office, an independent state agency created after the county government was abolished. The Berkshire Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and house of correction.[5]

Local communities were granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services, and the towns of Berkshire County have formed such a regional compact known as the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Berkshire County has three Registry of Deeds Districts, one for each district.

* Berkshire Northern District in Adams contains records for the city of North Adams and the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Savoy, Williamstown, and Windsor.
* Berkshire Middle District in Pittsfield contains records for the city of Pittsfield and the towns of Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lee, Lenox, Otis, Peru, Richmond, Stockbridge, Tyringham and Washington.
* Berkshire Southern District in Great Barrington contains records for the towns of Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Sandisfield, Sheffield and West Stockbridge.

County government: Berkshire County Clerk of Courts:  | Deborah S. Capeless

|

District Attorney:  | Timothy Shugrue
Register of Deeds:  | Maria T. Ziemba[6] (Northern District at Adams)
Patsy Harris (Middle District at Pittsfield)
Michelle Laramee-Jenny (Southern District at Great Barrington)
Register of Probate:  | Anthony Patella
County Sheriff:  | Thomas Bowler
State government
State Representative(s):  | 3 Representatives: [1]
John Barrett III (D), First Berkshire
Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D), Second Berkshire
Leigh Davis (D), Third Berkshire
State Senator(s):  | 1 Senator: [2]
Paul Mark (D)
Governor's Councilor(s):  | Tara Jacobs (D) - District 8
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s):  | Richard Neal (D-1st District)
U.S. Senators:  | Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)

Berkshire County is in the Massachusetts's 1st congressional district, a primarily rural district that makes up most of Western Massachusetts.

Berkshire County has three districts and elected Representatives in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

* First Berkshire. – Consisting of the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North Adams, Peru, Savoy, Williamstown, and Windsor, all in the county of Berkshire. John Barrett III(D) is the current Representative.
* Second Berkshire. – Consisting of the city of Pittsfield in the county of Berkshire. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D) is the current Representative.
* Third Berkshire. – Consisting of the towns of Alford, Becket, Dalton, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge, all in the county of Berkshire. William Smitty Pignatelli (D) is the current Representative.

Berkshire County comprises only part of one district for the Massachusetts Senate due to its low population. The district consists of all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County as well as the following 25 communities: Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Shelburne, Rowe and Whately, in the county of Franklin; Blandford, Chester, Granville, Southwick, and Tolland in the county of Hampden; Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington, in the county of Hampshire. Paul Mark (D) is the current Senator.

The Massachusetts Governor's Council, also known as the Executive Council, is composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lt. Governor who serves ex officio. The eight councillors are elected from their respective districts every two years. Berkshire County is part of the 8th District.

The Council generally meets at noon on Wednesdays in its State House Chamber, next to the Governor's Office, to act on issues such as payments from the state treasury, criminal pardons and commutations, and approval of gubernatorial appointments such as judges, notaries and justices of the peace.

See also the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts former page on counties (more detailed and with map) and its current page on counties (also useful).

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 946 square miles (2,450 km2) of which 927 square miles (2,400 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.1%) is water.[7] It is the second-largest county in Massachusetts by land area. The highest natural point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock at 3,492 feet (1,064 m), is in Berkshire County.

Berkshire County is one of two Massachusetts counties that borders three neighboring states (Vermont, New York and Connecticut); the other is Worcester County. The two counties are also the only ones to touch both the northern and southern state lines.

Running north-south through the county are the Hoosac Range of the Berkshire Hills in the eastern part of the county and the Taconic Mountains in the western part of the county. Due to their elevation, the Berkshires attract tourists and summer residents eager to escape the heat of the lowlands.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Bennington County, Vermont (north)
* Franklin County (northeast)
* Hampshire County (east)
* Hampden County (southeast)
* Litchfield County, Connecticut (south)
* Dutchess County, New York (southwest)
* Columbia County, New York (west)
* Rensselaer County, New York (northwest)

* v
* t
* e

Rivers of Massachusetts by drainage system

Atlantic Ocean|

| Buzzards Bay|

* Acushnet River
* Agawam River
* Back River
* Copicut River
* Crooked River
* Mattapoisett River
* Nasketucket River
* Paskamanset River
* Pocasset River
* Sippican River
* Slocums River
* Wankinco River
* Westport River
* Weweantic River

|

Nantucket Sound|

* Bass River
* Bumps River
* Childs River
* Coonamesset River
* Mashpee River
* Mitchell River
* Oyster Pond River
* Popponesset Creek
* Quashnet River
* Santuit River

Others|

* Tiasquam River

Gulf of Maine|

| Cape Cod Bay|

* Bluefish River
* Eel River
* Herring River
* Jones River
* Little Pamet River
* Pamet River
* Town Brook

|

Massachusetts Bay|

* Aberjona River
* Alewife Brook
* Canton River
* Charles River
* Chelsea Creek
* Cochato River
* Fore River
* Fresh River
* Indian Head River
* Malden River
* Millers River
* Monatiquot River
* Muddy River
* Mystic River
* Neponset River
* North River
* Saugus River
* Stony Brook (Boston)
* Stony Brook (Waltham)
* Stop River
* Weir River
* Weymouth Back River

Merrimack River Watershed|

* Artichoke River
* Assabet River
* Back River
* Beaver Brook
* Cochichewick River
* Concord River
* Little River
* Merrimack River
* Nashua River
* Nissitissit River
* North Nashua River
* Phillips Brook
* Powwow River
* Quinapoxet River
* Salmon Brook
* Shawsheen River
* Souhegan River
* South Branch Souhegan River
* South Nashua River
* Spicket River
* Squannacook River
* Stillwater River
* Sudbury River
* Trout Brook
* Vine Brook
* Whitman River

Others|

* Annisquam River
* Blackwater River
* Eagle Hill River
* Egypt River
* Ipswich River
* Jericho Creek
* Roger Island River
* Rowley River
* Skug River

Long Island Sound|

| Connecticut River Watershed|

* Burnshirt River
* Chapel Brook
* Chicopee River
* Connecticut River
* Cranberry River
* Deerfield River
* East Brookfield River
* Farmington River
* Fall River
* Five Mile River
* Green River
* Hubbard River
* Manhan River
* Mill River (Northampton)
* Mill River (Springfield)
* Millers River
* Mirey Brook
* North Branch Millers River
* North Branch Westfield River
* North River
* Otter River
* Quaboag River
* Scantic River
* Seven Mile River
* Tarbell Brook
* Ware River
* Westfield River

|

Housatonic River Watershed|

* Housatonic River
* Konkapot River
* Schenob Brook
* Umpachene River

Thames River Watershed|

* French River
* Quinebaug River

Narragansett Bay|

| Mount Hope Bay
(Taunton River Watershed)|

* Assonet River
* Canoe River
* Cedar Swamp River
* Cocasset River
* Cotley River
* Forge River
* Hockomock River
* Matfield River
* Mill River
* Nemasket River
* Poor Meadow Brook
* Quequechan River
* Rumford River
* Salisbury Plain River
* Satucket River
* Segreganset River
* Shumatuscacant River
* Snake River
* Taunton River
* Three Mile River
* Town River
* Wading River
* Winnetuxet River

|

Providence River Watershed|

* Abbott Run
* Blackstone River
* Bungay River
* Chockalog River
* Mill River
* Mumford River
* Peters River
* Quinsigamond River
* Sevenmile River
* Tannery River
* Ten Mile River
* West River
* Wilde River

Others|

* Barrington River
* Cole River
* Coles Brook
* Kickemuit River
* Lees River
* Palmer River
* Runnins River

Upper New York Bay|

| Hudson River Watershed|

* Hoosic River
* Kinderhook Creek

|

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1790| 30,263| | —
1800| 33,885| | 12.0%
1810| 35,907| | 6.0%
1820| 35,720| | −0.5%
1830| 37,835| | 5.9%
1840| 41,745| | 10.3%
1850| 49,591| | 18.8%
1860| 55,120| | 11.1%
1870| 64,827| | 17.6%
1880| 69,032| | 6.5%
1890| 81,108| | 17.5%
1900| 95,667| | 18.0%
1910| 105,259| | 10.0%
1920| 113,033| | 7.4%
1930| 120,700| | 6.8%
1940| 122,273| | 1.3%
1950| 132,966| | 8.7%
1960| 142,135| | 6.9%
1970| 149,402| | 5.1%
1980| 145,110| | −2.9%
1990| 139,352| | −4.0%
2000| 134,953| | −3.2%
2010| 131,219| | −2.8%
2020| 129,026| | −1.7%
2024 (est.)| 128,726| [8]| −0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2018[13]

### 2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census there were 134,953 people, 56,006 households, and 35,115 families in the county. The population density was 145 people per square mile (56 people/km2). There were 66,301 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km2). The county's racial makeup was 95.02% White, 1.99% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 1.69%.[14] were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.5% were of Italian, 16.4% Irish, 10.8% French, 10.3% English, 8.0% Polish, 7.1% German, 5.8% American and 5.1% French Canadian ancestry, 94.1% spoke English, 1.6% Spanish and 1.1% French as their first language.

Of the 56,006 households 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.30% were non-families. 31.60% of households were one person and 13.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 22.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.

The county's median household income was $39,047, and the median family income was $50,162. Males had a median income of $36,692 versus $26,504 for females. The county's per capita income was $21,807. About 6.50% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census, there were 131,219 people, 56,091 households, and 33,618 families in the county.[15] The population density was 141.6 inhabitants per square mile (54.7/km2). There were 68,508 housing units at an average density of 73.9 per square mile (28.5/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% white, 2.7% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population.[15] The largest ancestry groups were:[17]

* 23.5% Irish
* 16.9% Italian
* 16.1% French
* 14.3% English
* 12.1% German
* 9.6% Polish
* 4.9% French Canadian
* 3.7% Scottish
* 3.0% American
* 2.0% Scotch-Irish
* 2.0% Russian
* 2.0% Dutch
* 1.5% Swedish
* 1.3% Portuguese
* 1.1% Puerto Rican

Of the 56,091 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.1% were non-families, and 33.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 44.7 years.[15]

The median household income was $48,907 and the median family income was $64,783. Males had a median income of $47,401 versus $35,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,300. About 7.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Population density of Berkshire County by census block (2020)[19]

### Demographic breakdown by town

[edit]

#### Income

[edit]

See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income

The ranking of unincorporated communities included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.[20][21][22]

Rank  | Town  |  | Per capita
income  | Median
household
income  | Median
family
income  | Population  | Number of
households

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Tyringham | Town  | $55,836  | $94,375  | $126,875  | 358  | 149
2  | Richmond | Town  | $51,808  | $88,125  | $94,423  | 1,671  | 702
3  | Alford | Town  | $49,272  | $85,833  | $102,750  | 501  | 232
4  | Otis | Town  | $44,085  | $63,672  | $70,547  | 1,248  | 571
5  | Mount Washington | Town  | $40,073  | $68,750  | $69,688  | 150  | 64
6  | Williamstown | Town  | $39,451  | $72,743  | $97,060  | 7,828  | 2,859
7  | Egremont | Town  | $39,236  | $50,848  | $66,500  | 1,043  | 529
8  | Becket | Town  | $37,233  | $41,852  | $62,823  | 1,775  | 790
| Lenox | CDP  | $37,192  | $48,158  | $62,569  | 1,349  | 782
9  | Sheffield | Town  | $36,640  | $52,181  | $75,000  | 3,255  | 1,464
10  | New Ashford | Town  | $35,676  | $63,854  | $75,750  | 225  | 109
11  | West Stockbridge | Town  | $35,092  | $75,543  | $97,784  | 1,573  | 640
12  | Great Barrington | Town  | $34,585  | $48,561  | $73,369  | 7,131  | 2,792
13  | Cheshire | Town  | $34,413  | $56,597  | $74,250  | 3,245  | 1,408
14  | Lenox | Town  | $33,405  | $54,622  | $74,844  | 5,013  | 2,084
| Housatonic | CDP  | $33,281  | $28,837  | $27,448  | 1,024  | 556
15  | Windsor | Town  | $33,234  | $74,866  | $99,091  | 902  | 321
16  | Lanesborough | Town  | $33,058  | $66,071  | $82,400  | 3,074  | 1,240
17  | Washington | Town  | $32,501  | $69,286  | $71,250  | 583  | 240
18  | New Marlborough | Town  | $32,451  | $67,528  | $68,750  | 1,499  | 591
19  | Monterey | Town  | $32,404  | $42,083  | $47,625  | 793  | 302
20  | Stockbridge | Town  | $31,821  | $53,698  | $69,038  | 1,755  | 765
| Williamstown | CDP  | $31,808  | $46,622  | $100,833  | 3,652  | 1,312
21  | Sandisfield | Town  | $31,746  | $60,104  | $69,706  | 985  | 381
22  | Hinsdale | Town  | $30,753  | $62,596  | $71,442  | 2,136  | 860
23  | Hancock | Town  | $29,851  | $78,571  | $79,911  | 713  | 254
| Berkshire County | County  | $29,387  | $48,705  | $64,393  | 131,221  | 55,793
| Great Barrington | CDP  | $28,282  | $40,393  | $66,500  | 2,464  | 1,021
24  | Lee | Town  | $28,270  | $51,835  | $67,407  | 5,932  | 2,486
25  | Peru | Town  | $28,080  | $68,523  | $72,344  | 863  | 337
26  | Savoy | Town  | $27,725  | $58,068  | $58,452  | 706  | 293
| Lee | CDP  | $27,549  | $43,750  | $70,417  | 1,843  | 874
27  | Dalton | Town  | $26,854  | $52,285  | $61,739  | 6,753  | 2,663
28  | Pittsfield | City  | $26,767  | $44,513  | $57,673  | 44,691  | 19,966
29  | Florida | Town  | $25,666  | $46,458  | $58,281  | 719  | 337
| Adams | CDP  | $25,096  | $38,256  | $46,554  | 5,367  | 2,508
30  | Clarksburg | Town  | $25,013  | $54,095  | $61,836  | 1,702  | 727
31  | Adams | Town  | $24,423  | $39,080  | $46,021  | 8,494  | 3,770
32  | North Adams | City  | $20,330  | $36,424  | $51,028  | 13,763  | 5,867
| Cheshire | CDP  | $14,088  | $47,361  | $56,125  | 610  | 209

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Berkshire County, Massachusetts[23] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 19,805  | 28.84%  | 47,094  | 68.58% | 1,775  | 2.58%
2020 | 18,064  | 25.31%  | 51,705  | 72.44% | 1,606  | 2.25%
2016 | 16,839  | 25.66%  | 43,714  | 66.62% | 5,064  | 7.72%
2012 | 14,252  | 22.10%  | 48,843  | 75.74% | 1,391  | 2.16%
2008 | 14,876  | 22.50%  | 49,558  | 74.94% | 1,696  | 2.56%
2004 | 16,806  | 25.74%  | 47,743  | 73.12% | 742  | 1.14%
2000 | 15,805  | 26.60%  | 37,934  | 63.85% | 5,672  | 9.55%
1996 | 13,055  | 21.48%  | 39,338  | 64.73% | 8,381  | 13.79%
1992 | 14,726  | 21.74%  | 36,857  | 54.40% | 16,163  | 23.86%
1988 | 24,125  | 38.38%  | 38,208  | 60.78% | 526  | 0.84%
1984 | 33,712  | 52.85% | 29,745  | 46.63%  | 328  | 0.51%
1980 | 27,063  | 39.78%  | 29,458  | 43.30% | 11,510  | 16.92%
1976 | 27,462  | 39.87%  | 39,337  | 57.12% | 2,072  | 3.01%
1972 | 30,380  | 45.83%  | 35,391  | 53.39% | 513  | 0.77%
1968 | 23,078  | 35.80%  | 38,497  | 59.72% | 2,890  | 4.48%
1964 | 15,160  | 23.57%  | 48,839  | 75.92% | 332  | 0.52%
1960 | 27,335  | 39.83%  | 41,132  | 59.93% | 162  | 0.24%
1956 | 41,355  | 61.75% | 25,361  | 37.87%  | 257  | 0.38%
1952 | 38,413  | 56.13% | 29,785  | 43.52%  | 243  | 0.36%
1948 | 27,482  | 46.37%  | 30,668  | 51.75% | 1,117  | 1.88%
1944 | 24,830  | 44.16%  | 31,212  | 55.51% | 185  | 0.33%
1940 | 25,973  | 44.11%  | 32,620  | 55.40% | 287  | 0.49%
1936 | 22,607  | 42.20%  | 29,087  | 54.30% | 1,874  | 3.50%
1932 | 23,186  | 48.08%  | 23,252  | 48.22% | 1,782  | 3.70%
1928 | 23,855  | 49.52%  | 24,075  | 49.98% | 244  | 0.51%
1924 | 21,106  | 61.05% | 9,712  | 28.09%  | 3,753  | 10.86%
1920 | 20,138  | 63.11% | 10,956  | 34.33%  | 816  | 2.56%
1916 | 9,787  | 52.09% | 8,357  | 44.48%  | 645  | 3.43%
1912 | 6,397  | 37.19% | 6,211  | 36.10%  | 4,595  | 26.71%
1908 | 9,137  | 57.17% | 5,903  | 36.94%  | 941  | 5.89%
1904 | 9,310  | 58.85% | 5,800  | 36.66%  | 711  | 4.49%
1900 | 8,980  | 60.28% | 5,461  | 36.66%  | 455  | 3.05%
1896 | 9,710  | 67.91% | 3,913  | 27.37%  | 676  | 4.73%
1892 | 7,336  | 50.60% | 6,697  | 46.19%  | 465  | 3.21%
1888 | 6,826  | 51.33% | 6,070  | 45.64%  | 403  | 3.03%
1884 | 5,901  | 49.73% | 5,519  | 46.51%  | 445  | 3.75%
1880 | 6,386  | 55.70% | 5,034  | 43.91%  | 44  | 0.38%
1876 | 6,015  | 52.32% | 5,478  | 47.65%  | 4  | 0.03%
1872 | 6,047  | 64.07% | 3,391  | 35.93%  | 0  | 0.00%
1868 | 5,492  | 59.22% | 3,782  | 40.78%  | 0  | 0.00%
1864 | 5,314  | 61.24% | 3,363  | 38.76%  | 0  | 0.00%
1860 | 5,202  | 61.17% | 2,865  | 33.69%  | 437  | 5.14%
1856 | 5,344  | 63.09% | 2,749  | 32.46%  | 377  | 4.45%
1852 | 3,579  | 49.81% | 2,973  | 41.38%  | 633  | 8.81%
1848 | 3,549  | 47.41% | 2,387  | 31.89%  | 1,549  | 20.69%
1844 | 3,656  | 46.03%  | 3,885  | 48.92% | 401  | 5.05%
1840 | 3,931  | 50.55% | 3,780  | 48.60%  | 66  | 0.85%
1836 | 2,764  | 49.34%  | 2,838  | 50.66% | 0  | 0.00%
1832 | 2,465  | 57.84% | 1,612  | 37.82%  | 185  | 4.34%
1828 | 2,500  | 64.85% | 1,355  | 35.15%  | 0  | 0.00%
1824 | 2,381  | 78.68% | 645  | 21.32%  | 0  | 0.00%
1820 | 1,296  | 51.49% | 1,221  | 48.51%  | 0  | 0.00%
1812 | 2,268  | 58.99% | 1,577  | 41.01%  | 0  | 0.00%
1804 | 2,146  | 58.54% | 1,520  | 41.46%  | 0  | 0.00%

In the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections, Berkshire County was Massachusetts's third-bluest county behind Suffolk County, which consists primarily of Boston, and Dukes County, home to Martha's Vineyard. In 2020, the county voted for Joe Biden by a 47.1% margin over Donald Trump, 72.4% to 25.3%.[24]

### Voter registration

[edit]

Voter registration and party enrollment as of February 2024[25]

| Unenrolled  | 60,723  | 62.78%
| Democratic | 28,158  | 29.11%
| Republican | 6,786  | 7.02%
| Libertarian | 394  | 0.41%
| Other parties | 656  | 0.68%
Total  | 96,717  | 100%

## History

[edit]

The Mahican (Muh-he-ka-neew) Native American tribe lived in the area that now makes up Berkshire County until the early 18th century, when the first English settlers and frontiersmen appeared and began setting up farms and homesteads. On April 25, 1724, "The English finally paid the Indians 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum" for what is today southern Berkshire County.[26] This deal did not include modern Stockbridge, Richmond, and Lenox, or any northern towns. Berkshire County was the western part of Hampshire County until separated in 1761.

In the 19th century, Berkshire County became popular with the American elite, which built what they called "cottages" throughout the countryside. The Gilded Age ended in the early 20th century with the income tax, World War I, and the Great Depression. In the 20th century, some of these cottages were torn or burned down, while others became prep schools, historic sites, or bed-and-breakfast inns.

Today Berkshire is known throughout the East Coast and the country as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. It includes attractions such as the Clark Art Institute, Norman Rockwell Museum, Naumkeag, Mass MOCA, and Hancock Shaker Village.

## Communities

[edit]

Map of Berkshire County

### Cities

[edit]

* North Adams
* Pittsfield (county seat)

### Towns

[edit]

* Adams
* Alford
* Becket
* Cheshire
* Clarksburg
* Dalton
* Egremont
* Florida
* Great Barrington
* Hancock
* Hinsdale
* Lanesborough
* Lee
* Lenox
* Monterey
* Mount Washington
* New Ashford
* New Marlborough
* Otis
* Peru
* Richmond
* Sandisfield
* Savoy
* Sheffield
* Stockbridge
* Tyringham
* Washington
* West Stockbridge
* Williamstown
* Windsor

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Adams
* Cheshire
* Great Barrington
* Housatonic
* Lee
* Lenox
* Williamstown

## Transportation

[edit]

County-wide bus service is provided by the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority. Amtrak train service and Peter Pan intercity bus service is provided at Pittsfield.[27][28]

### Airports

[edit]

* Harriman-and-West Airport
* Pittsfield Municipal Airport (Massachusetts)
* Walter J. Koladza Airport

### Major highways

[edit]

* I-90
* US 7
* US 20
* Route 2
* Route 7A
* Route 8
* Route 8A
* Route 9
* Route 23
* Route 41
* Route 43
* Route 57
* Route 71
* Route 102
* Route 116
* Route 143
* Route 183
* Route 295

## Notable residents

[edit]

* Scholar and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, MA. His birthplace and other sites of interest are part of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail.
* Folk singer Arlo Guthrie resides in Berkshire County.
* Author Nathaniel Hawthorne resided at the "Little Red House" in Lenox, MA near the grounds of the Tanglewood Music Festival, where he wrote The House of Seven Gables and other novels.
* Author Herman Melville resided at Arrowhead in Pittsfield, MA, where he wrote the novel Moby Dick.
* Artist Norman Rockwell resided in Stockbridge, MA.
* Singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor resides in Berkshire County.
* Author Edith Wharton kept a home in Lenox, MA.
* Actor Mark Wahlberg often spends time in Berkshire County, and has a residence in Pittsfield, MA.
* Actress Elizabeth Banks is from Pittsfield, MA. and often comes back and visits.
* Actress Karen Allen lives in Monterey.
* Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has a home in Tyringham.

## Economy

[edit]

This county is the highest milk producer in the state.[29]

## See also

[edit]

* List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
* Registry of Deeds (Massachusetts)
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
* USS Berkshire County (LST-288)
* List of counties in Massachusetts

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cumulative Census of Peru, Massachusetts 1790-1920". Berkshire Genealogist. Vol. XXII. Berkshire Genealogical Society. 2001. p. 45\. "Some Berkshirites with children 'of parts unknown' left bequests to absent heirs..."
2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Berkshire County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "Berkshire County History". Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
5. ^ a b Official Audit Report – Issued December 16, 2011 Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine – Berkshire Sheriff's Office As of January 5, 2011.
6. ^ Northern Berkshire District Registry of Deeds Archived January 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Sec.state.ma.us. Retrieved on July 15, 2013.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
15. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
17. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
18. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
19. ^ TIGER/Line Shapefile, 2020, State, Massachusetts, 2020 Census Block, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division, Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch (Point of Contact), retrieved May 22, 2025
20. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
21. ^ "ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
22. ^ "Households and Families 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
24. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". www.uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
25. ^ "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts" (PDF). Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. February 24, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
26. ^ David H. Wood, 'Lenox Massachusetts Shire Town', (For the town: Lenox, 1969), p. 5.
27. ^ Pittsfield, MA Train Station Archived February 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Amtrak. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
28. ^ Pittsfield Archived August 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Peter Pan Bus Lines. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
29. ^ "Census of Agriculture - State and County Profiles - Berkshire County Massachusetts". USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

* Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
* Berkshires.org (Berkshires vacation site)
* iBerkshires.com (news web site)
* Wall & Gray. 1871 - Berkshire County map
* Berkshire County Sheriff's Office
* US Census Bureau map of cities, towns, Native American reservations, and census-designated places

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Berkshire County, Massachusetts

| Rensselaer County, New York | Bennington County, Vermont | Franklin County

|
|

|  |
Columbia County, New York |

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

| Hampshire County
|  |
Dutchess County, New York | Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut | Hampden County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States

County seat: Pittsfield

Cities|

* North Adams
* Pittsfield

Berkshire County’s location in Massachusetts

Towns|

* Adams
* Alford
* Becket
* Cheshire
* Clarksburg
* Dalton
* Egremont
* Florida
* Great Barrington
* Hancock
* Hinsdale
* Lanesborough
* Lee
* Lenox
* Monterey
* Mount Washington
* New Ashford
* New Marlborough
* Otis
* Peru
* Richmond
* Sandisfield
* Savoy
* Sheffield
* Stockbridge
* Tyringham
* Washington
* West Stockbridge
* Williamstown
* Windsor

CDPs|

* Adams (CDP)
* Cheshire (CDP)
* Great Barrington (CDP)
* Housatonic
* Lee (CDP)
* Lenox (CDP)
* Lenox Dale
* Williamstown (CDP)

Other
villages|

* East Otis
* Southfield

* Massachusetts portal
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Counties|

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* Note: Nine former counties were in the District of Maine

Cities|

* Agawam
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* Note: Municipalities not listed have a town meeting form of government (see all municipalities)

Massachusetts portal

* v
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Massachusetts public high schools

Barnstable County|

* Barnstable (Barnstable
* Sturgis Charter)
* Bourne (Bourne
* Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical)
* Chatham
* Dennis-Yarmouth Regional
* Falmouth
* Harwich (Cape Cod Regional Technical
* Harwich
* Monomoy Regional)
* Mashpee
* Nauset Regional
* Provincetown
* Sandwich

Berkshire County|

* Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter
* Hoosac Valley
* Lee
* Lenox Memorial
* Monument Mountain Regional
* Mount Everett Regional
* Mount Greylock Regional
* North Adams (Drury
* Charles H. McCann Technical)
* Pittsfield (Pittsfield
* Taconic)
* Wahconah Regional

Bristol County|

* Attleboro
* Dartmouth
* Dighton (Dighton-Rehoboth Regional
* Bristol County Agricultural)
* Fairhaven
* Easton (Oliver Ames
* Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical)
* Fall River (B.M.C. Durfee
* Diman Regional Vocational Technical)
* Joseph Case
* Mansfield
* New Bedford (Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical
* New Bedford)
* North Attleborough
* Norton
* Seekonk
* Somerset Berkley Regional
* Taunton (Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical
* Taunton)
* Westport

Dukes County|

* Martha's Vineyard Regional
* Martha's Vineyard Charter

Essex County|

* Amesbury
* Andover (Andover
* Greater Lawrence Technical)
* Beverly (Beverly
* Northshore Academy)
* Danvers (Danvers
* Essex Agricultural and Technical)
* Georgetown
* Gloucester
* Hamilton-Wenham Regional
* Haverhill (Haverhill
* Whittier Regional Vocational Technical)
* Ipswich
* Lawrence
* Lynn (Lynn Classical
* Lynn English
* Lynn Vocational and Technical)
* Lynnfield
* Manchester Essex Regional
* Marblehead
* Masconomet Regional
* Methuen
* Newburyport
* North Andover
* North Shore Technical
* Peabody Veterans Memorial
* Pentucket Regional
* Rockport
* Salem
* Saugus
* Swampscott
* Triton Regional

Franklin County|

* Frontier Regional
* Greenfield (Four Rivers Charter
* Greenfield)
* Mohawk Trail Regional
* Montague (Franklin County Technical
* Turners Falls)
* Pioneer Valley
* Ralph C. Mahar Regional

Hampden County|

* Agawam
* Chicopee (Chicopee Comprehensive
* Chicopee)
* East Longmeadow
* Holyoke
* Longmeadow
* Ludlow
* Minnechaug Regional
* Monson
* Palmer (Palmer
* Pathfinder Vocational Technical)
* Southwick Regional
* Springfield (SABIS International Charter
* Springfield High School of Commerce
* Roger L Putnam Vocational-Technical
* Springfield Central
* Springfield High School of Science and Technology
* Springfield Renaissance)
* West Springfield
* Westfield (Westfield
* Westfield Technical)

Hampshire County|

* Amherst Regional
* Belchertown
* Easthampton
* Gateway Regional
* Granby Junior Senior
* Hampshire Regional
* Hopkins Academy
* Northampton (Northampton
* Smith Vocational and Agricultural)
* Smith Academy
* South Hadley (Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter
* South Hadley)
* Ware

Middlesex County|

* Acton-Boxborough Regional
* Arlington
* Ashland
* Ayer (Ayer Shirley Regional
* Francis W. Parker Charter)
* Bedford
* Belmont
* Billerica (Billerica Memorial
* Shawsheen Valley Technical)
* Burlington
* Cambridge (Cambridge Rindge and Latin
* Community Charter School of Cambridge
* Prospect Hill Academy Charter School)
* Chelmsford
* Concord-Carlisle
* Dracut
* Everett (Everett
* Pioneer Charter School of Science)
* Framingham (Framingham
* Joseph P. Keefe Technical)
* Groton-Dunstable Regional
* Holliston
* Hopkinton
* Hudson
* Lexington (Lexington
* Minuteman Career and Technical)
* Lincoln-Sudbury Regional
* Littleton
* Lowell (Lowell
* Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter)
* Malden (Malden
* Mystic Valley Regional Charter)
* Marlborough (Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter
* Assabet Valley Regional Technical
* Marlborough)
* Maynard
* Medford (Medford
* Medford Vocational Technical)
* Melrose
* Natick
* Newton (Newton North
* Newton South)
* North Middlesex Regional
* North Reading
* Reading Memorial
* Somerville
* Stoneham
* Tewksbury Memorial
* Tyngsborough (Greater Lowell Technical
* Innovation Academy Charter
* Tyngsborough)
* Wakefield (Northeast Metro Tech
* Wakefield Memorial)
* Waltham
* Watertown
* Wayland
* Westford (Nashoba Valley Technical
* Westford Academy)
* Weston
* Wilmington
* Winchester
* Woburn Memorial

Nantucket County|

* Nantucket

Norfolk County|

* Avon Middle High
* Bellingham (Bellingham
* Primavera Junior/Senior)
* Braintree
* Brookline
* Canton (Blue Hills Regional Technical
* Canton)
* Cohasset
* Dedham
* Dover-Sherborn
* Foxborough (Foxborough
* Foxborough Regional Charter)
* Franklin (Franklin
* Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical)
* Holbrook Junior Senior
* King Philip Regional
* Medfield
* Medway
* Millis
* Milton
* Needham
* Norwood
* Quincy (North Quincy
* Quincy)
* Randolph
* Sharon
* Stoughton
* Walpole (Norfolk County Agricultural
* Walpole)
* Wellesley
* Westwood
* Weymouth

Plymouth County|

* Abington
* Apponequet Regional
* Bridgewater-Raynham Regional
* Brockton (Brockton
* Brockton Champion
* Edison Academy
* Frederick Douglass Academy
* Goddard Alternative School)
* Carver
* Duxbury
* East Bridgewater
* Hanover (Hanover
* South Shore Vocational Technical)
* Hingham
* Hull
* Marshfield
* Middleborough
* Norwell (Norwell
* South Shore Charter)
* Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical
* Old Rochester Regional
* Pembroke
* Plymouth (Plymouth North
* Plymouth South
* Rising Tide Charter)
* Rockland Senior
* Scituate
* Silver Lake Regional
* Wareham
* West Bridgewater
* Whitman-Hanson Regional

Suffolk County|

* Boston (Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter
* Another Course to College
* Boston Arts Academy
* Boston Community Leadership Academy
* Boston Day and Evening Academy
* Boston Latin Academy
* Boston Latin School
* Brighton
* Charlestown
* City on a Hill Charter
* Codman Academy Charter
* Dorchester
* East Boston
* Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
* The English High School
* Excel
* Fenway
* Greater Egleston
* Hyde Park
* Jamaica Plain
* Jeremiah E. Burke School
* John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science
* Madison Park Technical Vocational
* Match Charter
* Monument
* New Mission
* Odyssey
* Roxbury Charter
* Roxbury Memorial
* Snowden International School
* South Boston
* TechBoston Academy
* West Roxbury)
* Chelsea (Chelsea
* Phoenix Charter)
* Revere (Revere
* SeaCoast)
* Winthrop

Worcester County|

* Algonquin Regional
* Athol
* Auburn
* Bartlett Junior Senior
* Blackstone-Millville Regional
* Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical
* The Bromfield School
* Clinton
* David Prouty
* Douglas
* Fitchburg (Fitchburg
* North Central Essential Charter)
* Gardner
* Grafton
* Hopedale Junior Senior
* Leicester
* Leominster
* Lunenburg
* Milford
* Millbury
* Murdock
* Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical
* Narragansett Regional
* Nashoba Regional
* North Brookfield
* Northbridge
* Oakmont Regional
* Oxford
* Quabbin Regional
* Quaboag Regional
* Southbridge
* Sutton
* Upton (Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical
* Nipmuc Regional)
* Worcester (Abby Kelley Foster Charter
* Burncoat
* Doherty Memorial
* Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI
* North
* South High Community School
* University Park Campus School
* Worcester Technical)
* Shepherd Hill Regional
* Shrewsbury
* Tahanto Regional
* Tantasqua Regional
* Uxbridge
* Wachusett Regional
* West Boylston
* Westborough

Italics indicates closed schools

Authority control databases

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Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

42°22′N 73°13′W﻿ / ﻿42.37°N 73.21°W﻿ / 42.37; -73.21
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