The Town of Amherst, located in the lovely Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational and cultural opportunities.  Host to Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Town enjoys a tradition of open professional government, a high level of government services, quality education, support for open space and agriculture and respect for its history.

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General Information About Amherst
County	Hampshire
Government	Representative Town Meeting Five Member Select Board Town Manager
Location	Bordered by Hadley on the west, Sunderland and Leverett on the north, Shutesbury, Pelham, and Belchertown on the east, and Granby and South Hadley on the south. It is 23 miles from Springfield, 18 miles from Greenfield, 50 miles from Pittsfield, 87 miles from Boston, and 157 miles from New York City.
Land Area	27.7 square miles
Population	1950 - 10,856 1960 - 13,718 1970 - 26,331 1980 - 33,229 1990 - 35,228 2000 - 34,874
Density	1950 - 392 1960 - 495 1970 - 951 1980 - 1,199 1990 - 1,272 2000 - 1,259 (persons per square mile)
Elevation at Town Hall	312 feet above sea level
Topographical characteristics	Valley plateau, within a circle of hills
USGS Topo Plates	Belchertown, Mount Holyoke, Williamsburg, Shutesbury
Long./Lat.	42 22' 25" N, 72 31' 15" W