Washington, Massachusetts

Washington, Massachusetts
Town
Entering Washington
Seal
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°22′N 73°7′W / 42.367°N 73.117°W / 42.367; -73.117Coordinates: 42°22′N 73°7′W / 42.367°N 73.117°W / 42.367; -73.117
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Berkshire
Settled	1760
Incorporated	1777
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	38.8 sq mi (100.5 km2)
• Land	38.0 sq mi (98.4 km2)
• Water	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
Elevation	1,412 ft (430 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	538
• Density	14/sq mi (5.5/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code	01223
Area code(s)	413
FIPS code	25-73335
GNIS feature ID	0618275
Website	www.washington-ma.com

Washington is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 538 at the 2010 census.

Washington was first settled in 1760 and was officially incorporated in 1777. The town was known by several different names, including Greenoch, Watsontown and Hartville, before being renamed in 1784 for George Washington. The town has always been rural, with few small industries, known more for being along the stage road to Pittsfield and along the rail line later. Folk singer Arlo Guthrie lives in Washington.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.8 square miles (100.5 km²), of which 38.0 square miles (98.4 km²) is land and 0.81 square miles (2.1 km²), or 2.10%, is water. Located in central Berkshire County along the Hampshire County line, the town, which is roughly shaped, is bordered by Pittsfield to the northwest, Dalton, Hinsdale and Peru to the north, Middlefield to the east, Becket to the southeast, Lee to the southwest, and Lenox to the west. Washington is 39 miles (63 km) northwest of Springfield and 123 miles (198 km) west of Boston.