Millers Falls, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Millers Falls is a census-designated place
(CDP) in the town of Montague
in Franklin County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 1,072 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
metropolitan statistical area
.
, Millers Falls was first established in 1824 as an agricultural community, named Grout's Corner after first settler Martin Grout (1790–1865). In the 1860s, however, the local growth of railroads stimulated development, as the New London Northern Railroad
bought the Amherst & Palmer railroad in 1864 and in 1866 extended its line to a connection with the Vermont & Massachusetts at Grout's Corner. With this new railroad juncture, the abundant water power of the falls
at Grout's Corner provided a perfect place to establish mills
. The village's present name derives from the Millers Falls Manufacturing Company (later the Millers Falls Company
), established on the Millers River
in 1868, and famed for its fine hand tool
s.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (3.26%) is water. The village is drained by the Millers River
, a tributary
of the Connecticut River
.
Millers Falls is crossed by Massachusetts Route 2 and Massachusetts Route 63.
of 2000, there were 1,072 people, 439 households, and 273 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 465.1/km² (1,198.1/mi²). There were 472 housing units at an average density of 204.8/km² (527.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.18% White, 0.28% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.09% from other races
, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 439 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,337, and the median income for a family was $41,711. Males had a median income of $34,886 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,768. About 1.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in the town of Montague
Montague, Massachusetts
Montague is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,489 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan statistical area....
in Franklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,072 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
metropolitan statistical area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
.
History
Located along the Mohawk TrailMohawk Trail
- External links :* *...
, Millers Falls was first established in 1824 as an agricultural community, named Grout's Corner after first settler Martin Grout (1790–1865). In the 1860s, however, the local growth of railroads stimulated development, as the New London Northern Railroad
New London Northern Railroad
The New London Northern Railroad was a part of the Central Vermont Railway from New London, Connecticut, north to Brattleboro, Vermont. After a long period with the Canadian National Railway, it is now operated by the New England Central Railroad...
bought the Amherst & Palmer railroad in 1864 and in 1866 extended its line to a connection with the Vermont & Massachusetts at Grout's Corner. With this new railroad juncture, the abundant water power of the falls
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
at Grout's Corner provided a perfect place to establish mills
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
. The village's present name derives from the Millers Falls Manufacturing Company (later the Millers Falls Company
Millers Falls Company
Millers Falls Co. is a tool manufacturing company originally based in Millers Falls, Massachusetts.It was established in 1868 as Millers Falls Manufacturing Co....
), established on the Millers River
Millers River
The Millers River is a river in northern Massachusetts, originating in Ashburnham and joining the Connecticut River just downstream from Millers Falls, Massachusetts...
in 1868, and famed for its fine hand tool
Hand tool
A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical system using only hands. The hand tools can be manually used employing force, or electrically powered, using electrical current...
s.
Geography
Millers Falls is located at 42°34′45"N 72°29′36"W (42.579154, -72.493414), near the border with Erving, MassachusettsErving, Massachusetts
Erving is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,467 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan statistical area.-History:...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (3.26%) is water. The village is drained by the Millers River
Millers River
The Millers River is a river in northern Massachusetts, originating in Ashburnham and joining the Connecticut River just downstream from Millers Falls, Massachusetts...
, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
.
Millers Falls is crossed by Massachusetts Route 2 and Massachusetts Route 63.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,072 people, 439 households, and 273 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 465.1/km² (1,198.1/mi²). There were 472 housing units at an average density of 204.8/km² (527.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.18% White, 0.28% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 439 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,337, and the median income for a family was $41,711. Males had a median income of $34,886 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $17,768. About 1.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.