Compare towns

Barre vs Uxbridge vs Ware

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barre has the oldest population (median age 43.8).
Uxbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.2%).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k 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.

MeasureBarreUxbridgeWare
People
Population
5,572Lowest
14,473Highest
10,048
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.4%
MA: +7.4%
+5.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
43.8±8.5Highest
9% above MA
41.7±2.8Lowest
4% above MA
43.1±4.7
8% above MA
Barre and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
19.5%±3.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.1%±3.5
MA: 19.4%
Uxbridge and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19%±5.6
MA: 17.9%
17.1%±2.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.6%±3.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Ware and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.6%
MA: 47.3%
38%Highest
MA: 47.3%
24%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±3.2Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.4%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
Barre and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$107,727±$13k
4% above MA
$124,725±$7kHighest
20% above MA
$67,475±$15kLowest
35% below MA
Uxbridge and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,300±$55k
30% below MA
$441,100±$25kHighest
22% below MA
$289,700±$28kLowest
48% below MA
Uxbridge and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,030±$713Lowest
42% below MA
$1,555±$265Highest
12% below MA
$1,043±$109
41% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,163
14% below MA
$5,836Highest
about the MA average
$4,237Lowest
29% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.2%±27.5
MA: 51.8%
25.6%±5.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
64.3%±16.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Ware and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
MA: 10%
3.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
11.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.8%
MA: 62.5%
79.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
72.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
7 yrs newer than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 min
24% above MA
37 minHighest
26% above MA
28 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
11.2%±4.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
15.9%±3.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
12.3%±3.8
MA: 18.6%
Uxbridge 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 #134 of 282 in MA #183 of 282 in MA #267 of 282 in MA
School district Quabbin Uxbridge Ware
High school in town Quabbin Regional High School Uxbridge High Ware Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
11.6
11.1Lowest
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.