Compare towns
Charlemont vs Colrain vs Heath
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Charlemont has the oldest population (median age 59.6).
Colrain has the most kids (15.3% under 18).
Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).
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 | Charlemont | Colrain | Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,118 |
1,627Highest |
765Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -6.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-3.9% MA: +7.4% |
+2.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 59.6±6.7Highest 49% above MA |
49.6±8.7Lowest 24% above MA |
53.8±11.9 35% above MA |
| Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 7%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
15.3%±4.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
13.1%±2.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Colrain and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 41.1%±10.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
30.4%±4.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
33.6%±8.2 MA: 17.9% |
| Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
37.3% MA: 47.3% |
46.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
3.3%±2.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Heath and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $53,063±$12kLowest 49% below MA |
$80,673±$10k 22% below MA |
$98,750±$23kHighest 5% below MA |
| Heath and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $305,500±$52kHighest 46% below MA |
$284,300±$14kLowest 49% below MA |
$295,000±$45k 48% below MA |
| Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$126Lowest 42% below MA |
$1,102±$77Highest 37% below MA |
— |
| Colrain and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,351 27% below MA |
$4,317Lowest 28% below MA |
$4,438Highest 26% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.1%±18.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
46%±22.8 MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Charlemont and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 14.3%Highest MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
6.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
86.5% MA: 62.5% |
88.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 27% above MA |
34 minLowest 15% above MA |
35 min 20% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.5%±6.3 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
31.7%±17.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Heath and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Hawlemont | Mohawk Trail | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| 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.