Compare towns
Barnard vs Middlesex vs Plainfield vs Stockbridge
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Plainfield has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Stockbridge has the most affordable homes ($284k median).
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.
| Measure | Barnard | Middlesex | Plainfield | Stockbridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,211 |
1,943 |
2,522Highest |
791Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4% U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±6 9% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
38.9±6.5Lowest about the U.S. average |
55.3±5.3Highest 42% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 26.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
23.4%±5.8 U.S.: 22% |
9.9%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Barnard and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±3.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Stockbridge and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
46.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
35%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.4%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.1%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $97,581±$19k 21% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
$122,656±$13kHighest 52% above U.S. |
$77,109±$12kLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Plainfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $402,600±$71k 21% above U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
$442,400±$47kHighest 33% above U.S. |
$283,500±$26kLowest 15% below U.S. |
| Plainfield and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,372±$80 about the U.S. average |
$1,333±$359 6% below U.S. |
$1,674±$181Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,140±$126Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,038 94% above U.S. |
$6,483 108% above U.S. |
$7,904Highest 153% above U.S. |
$4,488Lowest 44% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27%±19.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
31.8%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
53.3%±22Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Stockbridge and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
85%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 8% above U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 17% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 19.3%±10.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.6%±12.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Stockbridge and Middlesex 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 | — | — | #19 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Plainfield School District | Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.