A town of about 30,000 people in
Western Massachusetts, home of
Smith College and a number of well-known
poets,
authors,
artists,
musicians,
philosophers,
etc. Northampton's name appears disproportionately often in the
national news media.
This cultural hub is known for its left-liberal politics and large lesbian community. Everyone from Calvin Coolidge to Tracy Kidder has lived in Northampton.