Montague is a town located in Franklin County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 8,489.

For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Montague, please see the articles on Millers Falls and Turners Falls.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 81.4 km² (31.4 mi²). 78.7 km² (30.4 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.22% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 8,489 people, 3,616 households, and 2,169 families residing in the town. The population density is 107.8/km² (279.2/mi²). There are 3,844 housing units at an average density of 48.8/km² (126.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.13% White, 0.84% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. 2.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,616 households out of which 28.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% are married couples living together, 12.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% are non-families. 31.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.90.

In the town the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $33,750, and the median income for a family is $43,194. Males have a median income of $33,705 versus $27,303 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,794. 13.1% of the population and 9.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.5% are under the age of 18 and 10.1% are 65 or older.