Context of Holyoke

Holyoke is the state’s poorest city, with 77 percent of its 7,000 students qualifying for free lunches. There is a 35 percent turnover rate, and 80 percent of the students in kindergarten through grade 8 are Hispanic and often come from homes where Spanish is the primary language (Adam Gorlick, Associated Press, 2005).
In 2000, Holyoke, Massachusetts had a population of 39, 838, with males comprising 46.8% (18, 664) and females making up 53.2% (21, 174). The median resident age was 34.0 years, the median household income was $30,441, and the median house value was $105, 600.00. Racial make-up was as follows: