Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Berkshire County | |
|---|---|
Berkshire County Courthouse | |
| Motto(s): Firmus et Paratus (Latin "Steadfast and Ready") | |
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts | |
Massachusetts's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 42°23′46″N 73°12′36″W / 42.39613°N 73.209892°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Founded | April 24, 1761 |
| Named after | Berkshire, England |
| Seat | Pittsfield |
| Largest city | Pittsfield |
| Area | |
• Total | 946 sq mi (2,450 km2) |
| • Land | 927 sq mi (2,400 km2) |
| • Water | 20 sq mi (50 km2) 2.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 129,026 |
• Estimate (2023) | 126,818 |
| • Density | 140/sq mi (53/km2) |
| Demonym | Berkshirite |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
Berkshire County (pronounced /ˈbɜːrkʃər/) is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 129,026. Its largest city and traditional county seat is Pittsfield. The county was founded in 1761. The Berkshire Hills are centered on Berkshire County. Residents are known as Berkshirites. It exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government, with the exception of the retirement board for former county workers, and the offices of the sheriff and the registrar of deeds.