The City of Springfield gained nearly 3,000 in population bring the total population for the City to around 156,000. Maintaining a population over 150,000 is key for municipalities such as Springfield so that they can continue to be eligible for certain federal funding sources. Census data also affects political representation and per capita funding sources.
Hampden County as a whole grew in population by .5% or 2,335, and Hampshire County added over 4,000 to its population. However, both Franklin and Berkshire Counties lost population. Franklin County lost 343 residents and the Berkshires lost 2,193 residents. Overall, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts saw a statewide population growth of 7.4% and now has a population of over 7 million. Middlesex County recorded the most significant change, growing in population by over 128,000.
Mayor Sarno stated, “I want congratulate and acknowledge our City Clerk and Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola and her team for their unyielding and yeoman efforts. Thanks to her leadership, working with Secretary Galvin’s team and the United States Census Bureau, she made sure that the City of Springfield was counted. Maintaining a population of over 150,000 is key and seeing an increase it affords our municipality to qualify for much-needed federal funding, such as CDBG, which is the life line for urban centers like Springfield.”
“I want to also thank and acknowledge Secretary Bill Galvin for his continued support and leadership on behalf of the City of Springfield and our Commonwealth,” Mayor Sarno added. “He has been truly instrumental in helping our community reach this Census milestone by providing us the resources needed to make sure our local team could do their job, especially during these challenging and surreal times of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Galvin has also been a champion for our Springfield by working with our local economic development team and helping us to utilize historic tax credits for vital and key development opportunities and projects. Together and working along with Congressman Richard Neal we have made many positive developments that have transformed our Springfield and help create more of that good four letter word – ‘JOBS’!”
