Compare towns

Adams vs Ware vs Windsor

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Adams has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
Ware has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
Windsor has the highest household income ($116k).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureAdamsWareWindsor
People
Population
8,074Highest
6,369
1,065Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.8%
MA: +7.4%
+1.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.3±3.3Highest
18% above MA
39.8±6Lowest
about the MA average
44.8±6.4
12% above MA
Adams and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.7%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
23.3%±4.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.8%±5.1
MA: 19.4%
Ware and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.2%±3.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.4%±3.9Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.6%±4.9
MA: 17.9%
Adams and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.5%
MA: 47.3%
15.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
41.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Adams and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$58,929±$6k
43% below MA
$45,158±$11kLowest
57% below MA
$115,563±$10kHighest
11% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$209,900±$15kLowest
63% below MA
$253,400±$31k
55% below MA
$389,700±$32kHighest
31% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$963±$74Lowest
45% below MA
$1,039±$104Highest
41% below MA
—
Ware and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,638
39% below MA
$3,408Lowest
43% below MA
$3,867Highest
35% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.1%±10.3
MA: 51.8%
64.5%±17.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Ware and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.2%
MA: 10%
14.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.1%
MA: 62.5%
57.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
96.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1970Highest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
19% below MA
27 min
9% below MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
Work from home
8.3%±2.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
16.6%±5
MA: 18.6%
21.2%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
Windsor and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #230 of 282 in MA #267 of 282 in MA —
School district Hoosac Valley Regional — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.