What stands out worked out from the figures below

Blackstone has the oldest population (median age 43.2).

Bellingham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.8%).

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	Blackstone	Bellingham
People
Population	9,255Lowest	17,410Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+2%Lowest MA: +7.4%	+3.8%Highest MA: +7.4%
Median age	43.2±1.7Highest 8% above MA	38.2±1.5Lowest 4% below MA
Kids under 18	21.8%±4Lowest MA: 19.4%	22.1%±3.4Highest MA: 19.4%
	Bellingham and Blackstone are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	18.5%±4.2Highest MA: 17.9%	14.9%±2.2Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Blackstone and Bellingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	31.9%Lowest MA: 47.3%	40.1%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.6%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9%	3.2%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9%
	Bellingham and Blackstone are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$94,191±$21kLowest 9% below MA	$125,307±$10kHighest 21% above MA
	Bellingham and Blackstone are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$404,400±$34kLowest 28% below MA	$450,700±$13kHighest 20% below MA
	Bellingham and Blackstone are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,189±$85Lowest 33% below MA	$1,836±$196Highest 4% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,703Highest 5% below MA	$5,030Lowest 16% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	65%±18.3Highest MA: 51.8%	62.8%±16.6Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Blackstone and Bellingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8%Highest MA: 10%	5.7%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	73.2%Lowest MA: 62.5%	78.9%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA	1973Highest 9 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	34 minLowest 16% above MA	36 minHighest 24% above MA
Work from home	17.4%±4.7Lowest MA: 18.6%	18.3%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6%
	Bellingham and Blackstone 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	#207 of 282 in MA	#232 of 282 in MA
School district	Blackstone-Millville	Bellingham
High school in town	Blackstone Millville RHS	Bellingham High School
Students per teacherat that high school	13.6Highest	12.4Lowest
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.