Northampton Community Indicators-January 2003
Northampton Community Indicator Final Report Prepared by: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission January 2003
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Northampton Community Indicator Final Report PURPOSE The city of Northampton
hired the PVPC to prepare a summary of various community health indicators as part of the city’s pre-planning for their E.O. 418 funded community development plan. The original design
of the community health indicators project was to replicate a study completed by the planning office in Devens, MA, and published in the AICP Planner’s Casebook—supplemented by a series
of indicators proposed by Norm Krumholz in an editorial response to the Devens article. Indicators help a community to understand its strengths and weaknesses in order to create a better
tomorrow. For the purposes of this report, Northampton identified eight categories of indicators: economic, education, environment, health, housing, poverty, social, and transportation.
The following is a summary of the results of the community indicator study. In general, Northampton rated well in the areas of employment, retail trade, education, health, poverty, and
social indicators. Northampton received lower ratings in the areas of wages, housing, and transportation.
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Community Profile The City of Northampton is situated between the Connecticut
River and the foothills of the Berkshires 20 miles north of Springfield. It is bordered by Easthampton on the south, Westhampton on the west, Williamsburg and Hatfield on the north,
separated by the Connecticut River from Hadley on the east. Northampton is 43 miles east of Pittsfield; 93 miles west of Boston; 30 miles north of New Haven, Connecticut; and 151 miles
from New York City. Northampton offers a sophisticated rural lifestyle rich in cultural, artistic, academic, and business resources. Northampton features one of the most vibrant downtown
centers in New England and was named “Number One Best Small Arts Town in America” by author John Villani and is recognized as one of the top 25 Arts Destinations in the nation by AmericanStyle
magazine. Residents see Northampton as both traditional and innovative. Several village centers provide focal points for outlying residential areas while the downtown is alive days and
evenings with a wide selection of restaurants, coffee and ice-cream shops, theaters including the only municipally owned theater in the state, clubs featuring an array of music, street
musicians and a Center for the Arts. All of this provides a perfect atmosphere for strolling. The city also offers strong municipal programs in education, recreation, public safety and
public works. It is known for its energy conservation program and its initiative to improve handicap access to downtown establishments.
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. The community has a strong and diverse economic base consisting of a mixture
of traditional operations (wire protrusion, plastic molding) and innovative ones (production of heat sensing devises) and a large institutional base which includes county services and
two hospitals. Northampton is also home to Smith College and is strongly influenced by Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts as
part of the five-college system in the region. The superb quality of life in Northampton contributes to its strong economic base with growing manufacturing, technology and service sectors.
The local labor force is diverse, well educated and highly skilled. The vibrant small city atmosphere of the community is enhanced by rich natural resources, which include the Connecticut
River, agricultural and conservation lands and the Acadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Residents believe Northampton has a rich history and are confident in its future which will be built on
its diverse population base, solid economic base and abundant resources. (Information from Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and the Town of Northampton)
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. ECONOMIC INDICATORS Demographics Northampton has a population of 28,978 people,
which is a decrease from a population of 29,289 in 1990. Northampton's population decreased 2.31 percent from 1970 to 2000. Since 1990, the population has decreased 1.06 percent. The
population density is 850 people per square mile and is denser than 230 out of 351 communities in Massachusetts. Northampton has a comparable, yet slightly lower, population density
than the Town of Greenfield. The community is 90% white which is a slight decrease from the 1990 figure. On the other hand, all other race categories saw a slight increase in population
during this time. Lastly, Northampton has a total of 15,081 registered voters of which there are 48.5% Democrats, 7.4% Republicans, and 0.2% other parties. Population 28,978 Total Households
11,880 Median Age 37 Median Household Income $41,808 Per Capita Income $24,022 2000 US Census General Population 1990 2000 Total population 29,289 28,978 % of state total 0.49% 0.46%
Decrease in last decade -311 % change in last decade -1.06% Total under age 18 5,079 4,917 % under age 18 17.34% 16.97% *All information compiled from Commonwealth of Massachusetts sources
Racial characteristics 1990 2000 Total white 26,693 26,083 White % of population 91.14% 90.01% Total black 490 602 Black % of population 1.67% 2.08% Total Asian 827 * 906 Asian % of
population 2.82% * 3.13% Total Hawaiian/Pacific Islander --15 Hawaiian/PI % of population --0.05% Total American Indian/Eskimo 49 86 Am. Indian/Eskimo % of population 0.17% 0.30% Total
Other 29 697 Other % of population 0.10% 2.41% Total multi-racial --589 Multi-racial % of population --2.03% Hispanic/Latino (of any race) 1990 2000 Total Hispanic/Latino 1,201 1,518
Hispanic/Hispanic/Latino % of population 4.10% 5.24% * Includes Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander Residents were asked to identify whether they are Hispanic or Latino in a question
separate from that which asked their race.
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Employment According to May 2001 figures, Northampton has an unemployment rate
of 2.1%, which is a lower rate than 289 of the 351 towns in Massachusetts and is lower than the unemployment rate of the State of Massachusetts at 5.3%. Simultaneously, the total labor
force and the number of people employed in Northampton have grown. The sector with the highest number of employees is the service sector which includes health care and education. It
also employs a higher percentage than the State. The next highest is retail/whole trade at 23.3%. Northampton has seen a decline in the number of employed in government, transportation,
communications, utilities, and trade where these sectors have positive percent changes throughout throughout Massachusetts. Only agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining saw a higher
percent change compared to the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has had a significantly larger percent change in employment in the construction sector versus Northampton. Furthermore, the
percentages of people who are self-employed, work from home, and are part time is greater than of the State. Sector EMPLOYEES PERCENT Services (Includes Health Care & Education) 7,868
44.5 Retail/Wholesale Trade 4,133 23.3 Government 3,161 18 Manufacturing 1,422 8 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 476 2.7 Construction 321 1.8 Transportation, Communication, Public Utilities
213 1.2 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing 104 .6 Average Annual Wage $29,345 Total Annual Payroll $519,350,706 Massachusetts Division of Employment & Training 2000 data 1999 2000 May 2001
Total labor force: 15,430 15,212 15,655 Number employed: 14,972 14,924 15,326 Number unemployed: 458 288 329 Unemployment rate 3% 1.90% 2.10% Note: Unemployment rates are based on person's
place of residence Employment
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Percent of Total Employment in 2000 0.6% 1.8% 2.7% 17.9% 8.0% 44.5% 23.3% 1.2%
0.7% 4.0% 6.8% 12.5% 13.3% 35.4% 22.9% 4.3% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0% 45.0% 50.0% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining Construction Finance, Insurance, Real
Estate Government Manufacturing Services Trade Transportation, Communications, Utilities Employment Type Percent of Total Northampton % of total employment MA % of total employment Percent
Change in Employment for 1996-2000 -20.0% -10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining Construction Finance, Insurance, Real Estate Government Manufacturing
Services Trade Transportation, Communications, Utilities Employment Type Percent Change Northampton % Change 1996-2000 MA % Change 1996-2000
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Labor Force Data Labor Force (MA DET June 2002) 16,000 Workforce Pull Within
45 mins. Travel Time 414,115 Residents working in Northampton 61% Unemployment Rate (MA DET June 2002) 2.7% Massachusetts Division of Employment & Training Employment Type Percentages
49.8% 10.5% 8.8% 4.4% 32.2% 58.9% 8.9% 6.3% 3.1% 24.2% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% % not professional or managerial % self-employed % self-employed and unincorporated
% work from home Part-time Employment Percentage Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Wages The average annual wage in Northampton is $29,345 whereas for the state
it is $44,329. The percent change from 1996 to 2000 in the average annual wage was 30.7% for the state and only 17.4% for Northampton. In Northampton there are slightly more jobs per
member of the labor force compared with the state. Wage Indicator $29,345 $28,204 $44,329 $45,049 $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 $35,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 Average
annual wage Average annual wages in private sector Wage Northampton MA Economic Indicators for Northampton 5.3% 17.40% 1.16% 5.3% 30.70% 1.02% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%
35.0% Unemployement rate (ten-year average 1991-2000) Average annual wage, % change 1996-2000 Jobs/member of labor force Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Average Hourly Earnings Manufacturing $14.44 Durable Goods $14.48 Fabricated
Metal Products $14.95 Nondurable Goods $14.39 Paper & Allied Products $14.35 Printing & Publishing $13.49 Customer Service Call Center (Northampton/Hadley) $8.50-$9 Massachusetts Division
of Employment & Training, October 2001 Commercial/Industrial Base Industrial: 2,212,942 square feet Commercial: 4,120,267 square feet Total C/I Building Space: 6,333,209 square feet
Average Office/Industrial Rental Rates Class A Industrial Park $6-8/sf Class A Downtown Main Street (Upper Floors) $14-16/sf Class A Downtown Off Main Street $12/sf Hospital Hill Business
Park Negotiable – special discounts for pioneer tenants Average Retail Rental Rates First Floor Downtown Main Street $22-$30/sf First Floor Downtown Off Main Street $16-$18/sf Pleasant
Street $12-$18/sf King Street $14-$20/sf Main Street Florence $10-$15/sf
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Retail Trade Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employ the second highest number
of employees and have the highest total sales with $122 million. Food and Beverage employs that greatest number of employees (693) and has the second highest total sales in Northampton.
The largest number of retail businesses in the City is in the category of Clothing & Accessories with 33 businesses. Retail sales per capita were higher for Northampton with $13,112
compared to $9,226 for the State. 1997 Economic Census Retail Category # of Businesses Total Employees Total Sales Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers 21 386 $122 million Furniture & Home
Furnishings 9 77 $6.5 million Electronics, Appliance & Camera 17 84 $12.4 million Building Materials & Garden Supplies 12 133 $28.2 million Food & Beverage 25 693 $88.2 million Health
& Personal Care 10 133 $18 million Gasoline Stations 20 146 $30.9 million Clothing & Accessories 33 273 $20.5 million Book, Periodical & Music 7 58 $4.8 million General Merchandise 3
D D Miscellaneous (office supplies, stationery, gifts, used merchandise, Art, etc. 24 D D * U.S. Census Bureau D = Withheld to avoid disclosing data about individual stores. Compiled
by Economic Development Coordinator, Mayor’s Office, March 2002
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Property Tax Rate & Assessed Value The City has a single tax rate of $15.91.
Estimated Fiscal Year 03 rate is $16.25 – to be set December 2002. The average single-family property tax bill is $2,589 and has increased by 44 percent since 1995. The average tax bill
for a single-family property was $1,792 in FY 1995 and $2,589 in FY 2001. Home values have appreciated 28 percent since 1995, from $129,490 in FY 1995 to $166,173 in FY 2001 (based on
average assessed values of single-family properties in Northampton). The total value of all single-family property was assessed at $892,848,400. Retail Sales Indicator $1,844 $13,112
$2,235 $9,226 $0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 Retail Sales per retail establishment Retail sales per capita Sales Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. EDUCATION INDICATORS Northampton has a wide variety of libraries and museums
available to its residents. They include the Botanic Garden of Smith College, Lyman Plant House, Calvin Coolidge Memorial Room, Forbes Library, Historic Northampton, and Smith College
Museum of Art. Furthermore, school enrollment has increased 27.9 percent since 1993 at an average of 4.65 percent per year. Furthermore, the Northampton school district spends about
$6,513 per student (data from FY 1999) and $21,508,558 out of $47,898,868 per year goes towards school spending. Northampton ranks in the upper 50% of towns in Massachusetts in its spending
per student. Northampton-Smith – Public School District (grades 9-12) Dropout/Attendance/Exclusions Plans of High School Graduates -1999 District State Plan % of District % of State
Dropout Rate (%) -1999 3.1 3.6 Four Year College 0.9 52.8 Attendance Rate (%) -2001 92.1 94 Two Year College 28.0 20.6 Student Exclusion (Count) -2000 0 1,412 Work 50.0 16.0 Technology
-2001 District State Students per Computer 4.5 5.1 Classrooms on the Internet (%) 8.6 82.8 Northampton – Public School District (grades PK-12) District Dropout/Attendance/Exclusions
Plans of High School Graduates -1999 District State Plan % of District % of State Dropout Rate (%) -1999 2.8 3.6 Four Year College 56.7 52.8 Attendance Rate (%) -2001 95.3 94 Two Year
College 22.5 20.6 Student Exclusion (Count) -2000 0 1,412 Work 3.9 16.0 Technology -2001 District State Students per Computer 6.1 5.1 Classrooms on the Internet (%) 100 82.8
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. The high school completion rate in Northampton is 88.7% and the high school
drop out is 2.8%. 46.1% of the population 25 years and older have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Both the college (BA) completion rate and Post-graduate completion rate are
higher for Northampton compared to the State. Northampton fairs better than the State of Massachusetts in all education indicator categories. 2000 U.S. Census for population 25 years
and older Education Indicators 88.7% 2.8% 46.1% 25.0% 84.8% 3.6% 33.2% 13.7% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0% High school completion rate High school
dropout rate College (BA) completion rate Post-graduate completion rate Education Completion Rate Percentage Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS Northampton currently has an open space and recreation
plan in place. The City contains 2,243 acres of wildlife habitat areas. The capacity of its landfills is adequate and the percentage of solid waste that is recycled is much higher for
Northampton (48%) than for the State (34%). The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission was unable to obtain the requested information on water quality and water supply vs. consumption, and
electricity consumption for Northampton and the State and therefore could not conduct further analysis of the environmental indicators.
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. HEALTH INDICATORS Northampton has several health care facilities in its vicinity.
It has two hospitals, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Mcallister Infimary. Northampton also has numerous long term care facilities which are: Hampshire County Ltcf, Linda Manor Extended
Care Facility, New Medico Snc Pioneer Valley, Northampton Nursing Home Inc, and Pine Rest Nursing Home. Hampshire County Hospice, Inc provides hospice service to Northampton residents.
Four rest homes, Florence Rest Home, Lathrop Home for Aged Women, River Valley Rest Home, and Rockridge/Laurel Park, are located in Northampton. Consequently, the percent of mothers
with adequate prenatal care was greater in Northampton than the State, with almost 85% of mothers receiving adequate care. Infant mortality (deaths per 1,000) is 2.5 for Northampton
versus 5.0 for the entire State. The total chronic disease-related deaths and alcohol related hospital discharges per 100,000 people were higher for Northampton. HOUSING INDICATORS Northampton
has 46.5% renter occupied dwellings where the State has only 38.3%. The housing cost burden, which is determined by the median household income as a percent of median home value, was
slightly higher for Northampton. Affordable housing consisted of 11.3% of the total number of housing units whereas the State only has 8.5%. Both vacancy rates for homeownership and
rental are below that State levels. Housing Indicators 46.50% 28.90% 11.30% 0.40% 3.40% 38.30% 27.20% 8.50%0.70% 3.50% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% 40.00% 45.00%
50.00% Renter occupied dwellings Housing cost burden Affordable housing Homeowner vacancy rate Rental vacancy rate Rate Percentage Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. POVERTY INDICATORS Northampton’s poverty rate is 8.7%, which is lower than that
of the State. The child poverty rate is also lower but the elderly poverty rate is slightly higher than the State’s. The percent of school children eligible for free or reduced price
lunch and the number of participants in the WIC Programs were lower for Northampton. In general, Northampton’s poverty rates are very similar to State levels. SOCIAL INDICATORS The percentage
of individuals over 16 who are not employed is 33.9% versus 36.8% in the State. The homicide rate per 100,000 persons (average of 1996 through 2000) was less for Northampton. The suicide
rate per 100,000 persons (average of 1996 through 2000) was 9.7, which is higher than the State’s rate of 7.2. The number of child abuse cases (both alleged and verified) is less than
State levels. Moreover, Northampton's crime rate decreased 10.04 percent from 1998 to 1999. In 1998, 763 total crimes occurred at a rate of 26.6 incidents per 1,000 residents versus
680 total crimes at a rate of 23.93 in 1999. Poverty Indicators 8.70% 8.40% 9.10% 23.00% 9.30% 11.60%8.90% 24% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% Poverty Rate Child Poverty
Rate Elderly Poverty Rate % children eligible for lunch program Percentage Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Social Indicators 1.4 9.7 10 0 2.2 7.2 7.8 3.4 02468 10 12 Homicide Rate Suicide
Rate Elderly Suicide Rate Teen Suicide Rate Average rate for the years 1996-2000 100,000 population Northampton MA 1998 1999 Total crimes: 763 680 Murders: 1 1 Rapes: 6 16 Robberies:
10 9 Aggravated assaults: 99 73 Burglaries: 110 73 Larcenies: 478 456 Motor vehicle thefts: 59 52 Crime rate: per 1,000 residents 26.6 23.93 Crime statistics Town reported crime stats
for 12 months of the year in 1998 and 12 months of the year in 1999.
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. TRANSPORTATION INDICATORS Northampton is located in the Pioneer Valley, known
as the crossroads of New England because of its strategic position along the Connecticut River and its excellent transportation facilities. The Massachusetts Turnpike connects the region
to Boston and to Albany, New York. Interstate 91 provides direct access to Hartford, Connecticut, and to Brattleboro and points north in Vermont. The principal highways are U.S. Route
5 and Interstate Route 91, which runs N-S across the state, the State Route 9 running E-W. Amtrak offers daily bus service between Burlington, Vermont, and Springfield, Massachusetts,
that connects up to its Springfield-Washington rail service. Freight rail service is available from the Springfield Terminal Railway. Northampton is a member of the Pioneer Valley Transit
Authority (PVTA), which provides fixed route service, and offers paratransit service to Springfield, Worcester, Boston, and Hartford. Vermont Transit Lines connects to Greenfield, Brattleboro,
VT and points north, and to Holyoke, Springfield and Hartford, CT. LaFleur Airport, a General Aviation (GA) facility located 1 mile northeast of Northampton, has a 3,506-foot by 50-foot
asphalt runway. Peter Pan Bus Lines offers transportation to Logan Airport from Northampton 7 days a week, and connects from Springfield to Hartford and Bradley Airport, and to Kennedy
and Laguardia Airports in New York City. The percent of workers walking to work for Northampton was 13.7%, which is significantly greater than the percentage for the State of Massachusetts.
On the other hand, less people use public transportation to get to work and the percent of occupied dwelling units with no car available is less than the State percentage. Transportation
Indicators 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% % of occupied dwelling units with no car available % of workers using public transporation % of workers walking to work %
of workers using means other than vehicles, transit, or walking Percentage Northampton MA
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 20 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency Economic Indicators
Percentage of workers not employed in professional or managerial jobs 49.8% 58.9% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau http://censtats.census.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf Every ten years Unemployment
rate (ten-year average 1991-2000) 5.3% 5.3% = 1991-2000 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) http://www.bls.gov/lau/home.htm Monthly Average annual wage
$29,345 $44,329 -2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Average annual wages in the private sector $28,204 $45,049 -2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202
Annual Retail sales per retail establishment ($000) $1,844 $2,235 -1997 U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census www.census.gov Every five years Retail payroll as a percent of retail sales
10.9% 10.1% + 1997 U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census www.census.gov Every five years Retail sales per capita $13,112 $9,226 + 1997 U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census www.census.gov
Every five years Commercial percent of the total tax base 16.3% 20.7% -2002 MA Department of Revenue Annual Industrial percent of the total tax base 3.9% 6.0% -2002 MA Department of
Revenue Annual Average annual wage, percent change 1996-2000 +17.4% +30.7% -1996 to 2000 MA Division of Employment and Training www.detma.org/lmi/local Annual Part-time employment as
a percent of total employment (less than 35 hours per week) 32.2% 24.2% ? 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Percent of workers self-employed 10.5% 8.9% + 2000 U.S.
Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 21 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency Percent of workers
self-employed and unincorporated 8.8% 6.3% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Percent of persons working
from home 4.4% 3.1% ? 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Jobs per member of the labor force 1.16 1.02 + 2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual
Percent change in number of firms, 1996-2000 +0.8% +4.5% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Mining employment (% change
1996-2000 /% of total employment in 2000) +33.3% 0.6% +22.0% 0.7% + 1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Construction employment employment (% change 1996-2000
/% of total employment in 2000) +11.8% 1.8% +38.4% 4.0% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Finance, insurance, and real estate employment (% change 1996-2000
/% of total employment in 2000) +5.3% 2.7% +9.6% 6.8% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Government employment (% change 1996-2000 /% of total employment
in 2000) -13.0% 17.9% +7.4% 12.5% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Manufacturing employment (% change 1996-2000 /% of total employment in 2000) -2.4%
8.0% -1.8% 13.3% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Services employment (% change 1996-2000 /% of total employment in 2000) +6.6% 44.5% +14.8% 35.4% -1996-2000
MA Division of Employment and Training, ES-202 Annual Trade employment (% change 1996-2000 /% of total employment in 2000) -5.3% 23.4% +7.7% 22.9% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment
and Training, ES-202 Annual Transportation, communications, and and utilities employment (% change 1996-2000 /% of total -10.9% 1.2% +12.0% 4.3% -1996-2000 MA Division of Employment
and Training, ES-202 Annual
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 22 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency employment in 2000)
Education Indicators High school completion rate 88.7% 84.8% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years High school dropout rate 2.8% 3.6% + 1999 MA Department of Education
Annual College (BA) completion rate 46.1% 33.2 + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Post-graduate completion rate 25.0% 13.7% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov
Every ten years Environmental Indicators Size of wildlife habitat areas (acres per capita) 2243 acres ? 2000 OSRP ? Open Space and Recreation Plan in place? Yes varies = 2000 Northampton
Planning Dept Every 5 years Percentage capacity of landfills Adequate to 2007 Need 2 million tons capacity by 2005 + 2000 Board of Health 413/587-1214 note: have applied for permit to
expand 50,000 acres to make it last for +15 years. Karen Bouquillon, Solid Waste Coordinator 587-1284 and www.mass.gov Unknown Percentage of solid waste recycled 48% 40% 34% + ? 2002
MA DEP, Municipal Recycling database, db.state.ma.us/dep/asppage1.asp Board of Health Unknown Water quality in ground waters DPW-Paulette Kuzdeba 587-1570 ext 307 Watershed water quality
index DPW-Paulette Kuzdeba 587-1570 ext 307 Kilowatts of electricity consumed per 1,000 Mass Electric Pamela Fournier 582-7575
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 23 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency square feet of developed
space Not readily available Therms of natural gas consumed per 1,000 square feet of developed space Baystate Gas Brian Errante 413/781-9200 x2212 not readily available Water consumption
vs. supply DPW-Paulette Kuzdeba 587-1570 ext 307 Health Indicators Percent of mothers with adequate prenatal care 84.8% 79.1% + 2000 MA Dept. of Public Health, MassCHIP database, Vital
Records Download software at http://masschip.state.ma.us/Annual Total chronic disease-related deaths per 100,000 population 921.9 814.0 -2000 MA Dept. of Public Health, MassCHIP Instant
topics, found at: www.masschip.state.ma.us/instanttopics Annual Alcohol related hospital hospital discharges per 100,000 people 564.0 324.3 -2000 MassCHIP Database Annual Infant mortality,
deaths per 1,000 births (fiveyear average of 1996-2000) 2.5 5.0 + 1996 -2000 MassCHIP Annual Housing Indicators Percentage of renter occupied dwellings 46.5% 38.3% -2000 U.S. Census
Bureau http://censtats.census.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf Every ten years Housing cost burden (median household income as a percent of median home value) 28.9% 27.2% -2000 U.S. Census
Bureau Every ten years Affordable housing (Chapter 40B) as a percent of housing units 11.3% 8.5% + 2002 MA Department of Housing and Community Development www.state.ma.us/dhcd/default.htm
Annual
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 24 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency Homeowner vacancy
rate 0.4% 0.7% -2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Rental vacancy rate 3.4% 3.5% -2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Poverty Indicators Poverty
rate 8.7% 9.3% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau; or, U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Http://censtats.census.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf or http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe/stc
ty/estimate.html Every ten years or every three to four years Child poverty rate 8.4% 11.6% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau Every ten years Elder poverty rate 9.1% 8.9% -2000 U.S. Census Bureau
Every ten years WIC Program Participation per 1,000 population 1.1 1.9 + 2001 MassCHIP Database Bi-annual Percent of school children eligible for free or reduced price lunch 23.0% 24.0%
+ 2000 MA Department of Education Profiles.doe.mass.edu/home.asp Annual Social Indicators Percentage of households that are headed by a woman 10.1% 11.9% ? 2000 U.S. Census Bureau http://censtats.cen
sus.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf Every ten years Percentage of individuals over 16 who are not employed 33.9% 36.8% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau http://censtats.census.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf
Every ten years Homicide rate per 100,000 persons (average of 1996 through 2000) 1.4 2.2 + 1996 -2000 MassCHIP Database Annual Elderly (over 64) suicide rate per 100,000 elders (average
of 1996 through 2000) 10.0 7.8 -1996 -2000 MassCHIP Database Annual
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 25 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Indicator Northampton MA +/-As of Source Frequency Teen suicide rate
(10-19) per 100,000 teens (average of 1996 through 2000) 0.0 3.4 + 1996 -2000 MassCHIP Database Annual Suicide rate per 100,000 persons (average of 1996 through 2000) 9.7 7.2 -1996 -2000
MassCHIP Database Annual Alleged cases of child abuse per 1,000 children 61.2 63.5 + 1997 MassCHIP Database Annual Verified cases of child abuse per 1,000 children 14.4 18.3 + 1997 MassCHIP
Database Annual Dependant children per family 1.68 1.85 ? 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Number of arts or cultural events/performances at public sites 500/yr
? ? 2002 Arts Council estimates at least one/day—open to the public—suggest avg. of 500/year. 413/587-1269 Peter Lowitt suggests going with this number as Northampton clearly is unusual
in this regard. Devens, by comparison had 3! Annual Number of public recreational events 200 progs/yr ? ? 2002 City Rec Dept. 413/587-1040 Anne-Marie Moggio, Asst Dir. 200 programs/annually:
swimming, camp, for adults and children etc. Outdoor beach—in use all summer long. 12 ball fields—all used when available by children and adults—Spring to Fall. Annual
Northampton Community Indicators January 2003 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Page 26 + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State
average; = Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Transportation Indicators Percentage of occupied dwelling units with
no car available 11.3% 12.7% ? 2000 U.S. Census Bureau http://censtats.census.gov/data/MA/1602546330.pdf Every ten years Road conditions-level of service (average of pavement conditions
index) 73 ? Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Northampton Transportation Plan Annual Percent of workers using public transportation 3.2% 8.7% -2000 U.S. Census Bureau Northampton average
daily ridership = 3,658 (2001) Every ten years Percent of workers walking to work 13.7% 4.3% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years Percent of workers using means other
than vehicles, transit, or walking 1.6% 1.0% + 2000 U.S. Census Bureau www.census.gov Every ten years
Northampton Community Indicators October 2002 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Resources: Teri Anderson, Economic Development Coordinator-City 587-1249 Suzanne
Beck, Northampton Chamber 584-1900 Cam @Northampton redevelopment Authority 587-1286 Peggy McLeod, Northampton Energy Resource Committee sunraven@attbi.com Paulette Kuzdeba, DPW 587-1570
ext. 307 Board of Health, 587-1214 Karen Boquillon, Solid Waste Coordinator 587-1284 Pamela Fournier, MassElectric-413/582-7575 Paul Schmidt/Alan Silverstein CET 413/445-4556 for information
on energy use Alice Napoleon, ICLEI 413/222.5428 napoleon@pubpol.umass.edu
Northampton Community Indicators October 2002 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Detail on open space questions: Wildlife habitat areas: Brookwood marsh 20 Indian
hill 7 Barrett St marsh 25 Mary Brown’s 2 Elwell Cons area 100 Fitzgerald Lake 490 meadows/arcadia 38 Mill river greenway 11 Mineral Hills Cons 85 Rainbow Beach 55 Roberts Hill 104 Saw
mill hills 68 Arcadia 550 Childs Park 30 Adams Farm 72 Atwood Drive 8 Anciproch Forset legacy 36 Park Hill Rd APR 57 + 43 Lathrop Comm 14 State Hosp 274 + 20 + 8 sub 2027 Rec Land: Nagle
walkway 2 Misc small city parks 2 Arcanum Field 8 Comm Gardens 8 Look Park 157 Maine’s Field 14 Musante Beach 7 Sheldon Field 10 Veterans Field 8 sub 216 TOTAL 2243 Detail on Transportation-Census
Out of the 16,008 workers age 16 and older, 11,206, or 70% drove alone 1,139, or 7.1% carpooled 507, or 3.2% took public transportation 2,188, or 13.7% walked 262, or 1.6% used some
other means 706, or 4.4% worked at home More Information For more information about Northampton and available development sites contact: Teri Anderson, Economic Development Coordinator,
Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060, 413-587-1249, tanderso@city.northampton.ma.us.
Northampton Community Indicators October 2002 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission + Northampton is doing better than the State average; -Northampton is doing worse than the State average;
= Northampton is equaling the State average; ? For this indicator, it is unclear what is better or worse. Project: Northampton, EO418 Pre-Planning Phase 2 Date: 9/17/02 Duration: 2-6
weeks Staff: Pfoster Cmiller Rcenteno TOTAL Rate: $45.00 $50.00 $30.00 Tasks Gather data from government sources 10 10 Gather supplemental/comparison data 10 10 Input data into tables
and format 8 8 16 Meeting to discuss progress 2 2 4 Admin/prepare final report 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL HOURS 20 30 10 60 Local Technical Assistance Hours 0 Remaining Hours 20 30 10
60 Staff Costs $900.00 $1,500.00 $300.00 $2,700.00 Total Staff Cost $2,700.00 Expenses TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE $2,700.00