What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ashfield has the oldest population (median age 58.6).

Pelham has the most kids (21% under 18).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Ashfield	Pelham
People
Population	1,893Highest	1,335Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-2.4%Highest MA: +7.4%	-3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	58.6±3.4Highest 47% above MA	45±8.4Lowest 13% above MA
Kids under 18	12.4%±3.6Lowest MA: 19.4%	21%±4.6Highest MA: 19.4%
Age 65+	33.7%±2.9Highest MA: 17.9%	26.7%±6.9Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Ashfield and Pelham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	52%Lowest MA: 47.3%	64.8%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.2%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9%	2%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9%
	Pelham and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$80,833±$16kLowest 22% below MA	$113,750±$24kHighest 9% above MA
	Pelham 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±$30kLowest 29% below MA	$447,600±$33kHighest 20% below MA
	Pelham and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,100±$200Lowest 38% below MA	$1,205±$560Highest 32% below MA
	Pelham and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,197Lowest 13% below MA	$7,472Highest 25% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	62.5%±34Highest MA: 51.8%	42.7%±35.2Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Ashfield and Pelham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	9.1%Lowest MA: 10%	10.3%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	85.5%Highest MA: 62.5%	79.1%Lowest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1967Highest 3 yrs newer than MA	1958Lowest 6 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	30 minHighest about the MA average	23 minLowest 21% below MA
Work from home	24%±6Lowest MA: 18.6%	32.8%±7.4Highest MA: 18.6%
	Pelham and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Mohawk Trail	Pelham
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.