What stands out worked out from the figures below

Charlemont has the oldest population (median age 59.6).

Halifax has the most kids (25.4% under 18).

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	Charlemont	Halifax
People
Population	1,118Highest	847Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-6.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%	+5.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	59.6±6.7Highest 53% above U.S.	40.6±13.1Lowest 4% above U.S.
	Charlemont and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	7%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22%	25.4%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	41.1%±10.2Highest U.S.: 17.2%	22.6%±7.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	29%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	44.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	1.2%±0.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Halifax and Charlemont 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 34% below U.S.	$63,889±$7kHighest 21% below U.S.
	Halifax and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$305,500±$52kHighest 8% below U.S.	$267,500±$21kLowest 20% below U.S.
	Charlemont and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,023±$126Highest 28% below U.S.	$875±$154Lowest 38% below U.S.
	Charlemont and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,351Lowest 39% above U.S.	$4,991Highest 60% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	56.1%±18.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1%	57.1%±73.8Highest U.S.: 51.1%
	Halifax and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	14.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	78.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	86.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S.	1968Highest 12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	37 minHighest 40% above U.S.	33 minLowest 23% above U.S.
Work from home	16.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	29.9%±11.9Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Halifax and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Hawlemont	Halifax School District
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.