Massachusetts Route 116 leaves southeast from the center of town, leading eventually to Amherst in the Connecticut River valley.

[2] As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,784 people, 2,729 households, and 1,555 families residing in the CDP.

The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.24% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races.

There were 2,729 households, out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families.

39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.