At a glance

Settled: 1739 (first as Township No. 1, then as South Tyringham, part of Tyringham).

Incorporated: 1847 (as the town of Monterey).

Named: In honor of the U.S. forces who fought at the Battle of Monterrey in the Mexican War.

Population: 934 (U.S. Census, 2000); 961 (Town Census, 2005); 998 (Town Census, 2007, estimated).

Area: 27.3 square miles

Elevation: 1,244 feet (average).

Average annual snowfall: 83 inches (estimated).

Median resident age: 44.5 (U.S. Census, 2000).

Median household income: $49,750 (U.S. Census, 2000); $61,900 (2005, estimated).

Median family income: $59,643 (U.S. Census, 2000).

Average house value: $451,372 (Mass. DOR, 2007).

Average property tax: $2,437, single-family home (DOR, 2007).

Unemployment rate: 3.9 percent (February 2007).

Races, national origin: White, 905; African-American, 5; Asian, 3; American Indian & Alaskan, 2; other, 7; mixed race, 10; Hispanic, 14 (U.S. Census, 2000).

Ancestries: Irish, 16 percent; German, 15 percent; English, 14 percent; Italian, 7 percent; French, 5 percent; Scottish, 4 percent; French Canadian, 4 percent; Polish, 4 percent; Russian, 3 percent; British, 2 percent; Swedish, 1 percent; Canadian, 1 percent; Welsh, 1 percent; Austrian, 1 percent; Scotch-Irish,

1 percent; Other Hispanic or Latino, 1 percent; Ukrainian, 1 percent; Hungarian, 1 percent; European, 1 percent; Turkish, 1 percent; Czech, 1 percent; Greek, 1 percent; Dutch, 1 percent; Romanian, 1 percent; Portuguese, 1 percent; black or African American, 1 percent (U.S. Census, 2000).

Official town Web site: www.monterey-ma.org

The town

... is home to The Bidwell House Museum, which describes itself as a "colonial history experience," an elegant Georgian saltbox originally built around 1750 as a parsonage for the Rev. Adonijah Bidwell, the first minister of what was then known as Township No. 1. It has been authentically restored, is filled with 18th- and 19th-century antiques, furniture and artifacts, and boasts "beautiful grounds and hiking trails." ... is raising funds to transform the historic Wilson McLaughlin House into the Monterey Community Center, the result of a bequest from Edith Wilson 11 years ago. ... is home to Gould Farm, established in 1913, which describes itself as a unique "psychiatric treatment program for adults with mental illness." Owned by William J. Gould Associates Inc., the emphasis is on helping individuals manage their symptoms and rebuild their lives through transitional programs provided by the working farm and the cafe, as well as in a related facility in Medford. ... has a full-time police chief, as well as a one full-time and two part-time officers. The Monterey Fire Co. Ltd. is a private on-call private all-volunteer force; some members receive a stipend from the town based on training. The volunteers also serve as first responders, and the town can call on the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance from Great Barrington. People with severe injuries or illnesses can be airlifted via helicopter to Hartford (Conn.) Hospital. ... has its roads plowed and maintained under the supervision of Maynard Forbes, director of operations for the town, whose department is also responsible for town buildings and grounds, with three full-time staffers and additional help hired as needed.