Compare towns
Berlin vs Hardwick vs Hatfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Hardwick has the most kids (20.5% under 18).
Hatfield has the shortest commute (20 min average).
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 | Hardwick | Hatfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378Highest |
2,684Lowest |
3,325 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
45.3±9.8Lowest 13% above MA |
46.8±5 17% above MA |
| Berlin and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±5.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
14%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Hardwick and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
23.3%±4.6 MA: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3% MA: 47.3% |
30.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.2%±4.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
| Hardwick and Hatfield 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 17% above MA |
$75,000±$22kLowest 28% below MA |
$89,005±$25k 14% below MA |
| Berlin and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55kHighest 10% above MA |
$346,700±$67kLowest 38% below MA |
$440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,108±$119Lowest 37% below MA |
$1,267±$216 28% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 19% above MA |
$4,400Lowest 27% below MA |
$4,930 18% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
59%±13.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hardwick and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Lowest MA: 10% |
11%Highest MA: 10% |
8.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
74.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 17% above MA |
31 min 7% above MA |
20 minLowest 30% below MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.7%±4.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
16%±6.3 MA: 18.6% |
| Berlin and Hatfield 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 | #163 of 282 in MA | #198 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Quabbin | Hatfield |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Smith Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 6.1 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.