What stands out worked out from the figures below

Belchertown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).

Oakham has the most expensive homes ($420k 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.

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

Measure	Belchertown	Oakham
People
Population	15,393Highest	1,639Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+4.8%Highest MA: +7.4%	-2.7%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	43.9±1.6Lowest 10% above MA	49±2.3Highest 23% above MA
Kids under 18	19.5%±2.9Highest MA: 19.4%	18.2%±3.1Lowest MA: 19.4%
	Belchertown and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21%±2.4Lowest MA: 17.9%	21.4%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9%
	Oakham and Belchertown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	47.3%Highest MA: 47.3%	40.3%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.7%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9%	3.8%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9%
	Belchertown and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$108,068±$15kHighest 4% above MA	$102,000±$20kLowest about the MA average
	Belchertown and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$371,300±$12kLowest 34% below MA	$420,100±$20kHighest 25% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,292±$230Highest 27% below MA	$1,174±$81Lowest 33% below MA
	Belchertown and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,810Highest 3% below MA	$4,103Lowest 32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	57.4%±21.8Highest MA: 51.8%	27.8%±69.1Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Belchertown and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8.5%Highest MA: 10%	4.4%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	87.1%Lowest MA: 62.5%	91.6%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1984Highest 20 yrs newer than MA	1979Lowest 15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	29 minLowest about the MA average	39 minHighest 32% above MA
Work from home	14%±3.3Highest MA: 18.6%	9.6%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Belchertown and Oakham 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	#168 of 282 in MA	—
School district	Belchertown	Quabbin
High school in town	Belchertown High	None in town
Students per teacherat that high school	11.9	—
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.