Compare towns
Brimfield vs Erving vs Monson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brimfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).
Erving has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Monson has the oldest population (median age 47.8).
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.
| Measure | Brimfield | Erving | Monson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,705 |
1,703Lowest |
8,136Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-4.8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.3 9% above MA |
43.3±2.4Lowest 8% above MA |
47.8±3.2Highest 20% above MA |
| Monson and Brimfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±6Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.3%±3.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
18.1%±3.4 MA: 19.4% |
| Brimfield and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±4.4Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.4 MA: 17.9% |
23.2%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Monson and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.7%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
29.2% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±2.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Monson and Brimfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,250±$22kHighest 7% above MA |
$77,656±$9kLowest 25% below MA |
$96,688±$14k 7% below MA |
| Brimfield and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $389,100±$27kHighest 31% below MA |
$271,800±$20kLowest 52% below MA |
$348,400±$15k 38% below MA |
| Brimfield and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $886±$365 50% below MA |
$1,163±$213Highest 34% below MA |
$871±$215Lowest 51% below MA |
| Erving and Brimfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,128Highest 14% below MA |
$1,870Lowest 69% below MA |
$4,877 19% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.2%±25.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
46.5%±23Lowest MA: 51.8% |
48.9%±13.3 MA: 51.8% |
| Brimfield and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.2% MA: 10% |
8.5%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
81.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
82.5% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 13.7%±5.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
3.6%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
10.7%±7.5 MA: 18.6% |
| Brimfield and Monson 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 | #108 of 282 in MA | — | #235 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Brimfield | Erving | Monson |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Monson High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.2 |
| 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.