Compare towns
Berlin vs Central Falls vs Woonsocket vs Northfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the most people working from home (29.1%).
Central Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.6%).
Woonsocket has the most affordable homes ($311k median).
Northfield has the most homeowners (85.1%).
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 | Berlin | Central Falls | Woonsocket | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
22,701 |
43,521Highest |
2,872Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+16.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 28% above U.S. |
32.5±2.3Lowest 16% below U.S. |
35.7±1.3 8% below U.S. |
48.9±4.2 26% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
26.1%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±2 U.S.: 22% |
14.8%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Central Falls and Woonsocket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
10.7%±2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
14.7%±1.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
25.5%±5.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
10.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
42.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.6%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±0.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Woonsocket and Central Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$49,285±$8kLowest 39% below U.S. |
$61,059±$5k 24% below U.S. |
$103,375±$10k 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55kHighest 85% above U.S. |
$352,100±$30k 6% above U.S. |
$311,000±$15kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$375,800±$31k 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,200±$75 15% below U.S. |
$1,161±$48 18% below U.S. |
$1,142±$200Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$3,744Lowest 20% above U.S. |
$3,960 27% above U.S. |
$4,594 47% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
56.7%±8.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
46.7%±5.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
49.2%±25.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Central Falls and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
24.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
18.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
25.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
37.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1944Lowest 36 yrs older than U.S. |
1952 28 yrs older than U.S. |
1962 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
27 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
31 min 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
5.2%±2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.4%±1.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.5%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Northfield 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 | #61 of 282 in MA | #38 of 38 in RI | #37 of 38 in RI | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Learning Community · Segue Institute for Learning | RISE Prep Mayoral Academy · Woonsocket | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Central Falls Sr High | Woonsocket High School | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 14.6 |
15.2Highest |
10.7Lowest |
| 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.