Compare towns

Ashfield vs Dalton vs Leverett

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ashfield has the oldest population (median age 58.6).
Dalton has the most kids (20.6% under 18).
Leverett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.8%).

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.

MeasureAshfieldDaltonLeverett
People
Population
1,893
6,256Highest
1,608Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.4%
MA: +7.4%
-6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+0.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
58.6±3.4Highest
47% above MA
49.7±5.8Lowest
24% above MA
56±6.4
40% above MA
Ashfield and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.4%±3.6Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.6%±4.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.7%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
Dalton and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
27.9%±5.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
34.8%±4.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52%
MA: 47.3%
44.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
67.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.1%±1
MA: 7.9%
Dalton and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,833±$16k
22% below MA
$79,438±$8kLowest
24% below MA
$104,688±$18kHighest
about the MA average
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$400,600±$30k
29% below MA
$295,700±$26kLowest
47% below MA
$435,500±$35kHighest
23% below MA
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$200
38% below MA
$872±$70Lowest
51% below MA
$1,389±$135Highest
21% below MA
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,197
13% below MA
$4,276Lowest
29% below MA
$6,779Highest
13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.5%±34
MA: 51.8%
41.2%±19Lowest
MA: 51.8%
73.3%±6.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.1%
MA: 10%
7.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
10%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.5%
MA: 62.5%
70.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
87.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1957Lowest
7 yrs older than MA
1973Highest
9 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
about the MA average
22 minLowest
24% below MA
27 min
9% below MA
Work from home
24%±6
MA: 18.6%
12.5%±7.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
28.5%±5Highest
MA: 18.6%
Leverett and Ashfield 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 — #192 of 282 in MA —
School district Mohawk Trail Central Berkshire Leverett
High school in town None in town Wahconah Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.9
—
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.