Compare towns
Charlemont vs Shelburne vs Rowe
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).
Shelburne has the most expensive homes ($405k median).
Rowe has the most kids (23% 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.
| Measure | Charlemont | Shelburne | Rowe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,118 |
1,567Highest |
453Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -6.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-0.5%Highest MA: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 59.6±6.7Highest 49% above MA |
57±7.3 43% above MA |
48.9±6.4Lowest 22% above MA |
| Charlemont and Shelburne 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% |
12.5%±4 MA: 19.4% |
23%±5Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 41.1%±10.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
38.4%±2.5 MA: 17.9% |
30.2%±8.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Charlemont and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29% MA: 47.3% |
51.7%Highest MA: 47.3% |
26.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.2%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
3.3%±2Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Rowe and Shelburne 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 |
$83,000±$4kHighest 20% below MA |
$69,583±$13k 33% below MA |
| Shelburne and Rowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $305,500±$52k 46% below MA |
$405,400±$32kHighest 28% below MA |
$275,000±$41kLowest 51% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$126Lowest 42% below MA |
$1,080±$105 39% below MA |
$1,313±$576Highest 25% below MA |
| Rowe and Shelburne 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 |
$4,595Highest 23% below MA |
$1,458Lowest 76% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.1%±18.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
39.1%±7.1 MA: 51.8% |
11.8%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Charlemont and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 14.3% MA: 10% |
10.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
15.8%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.3% MA: 62.5% |
67.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
90.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1959 5 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 27% above MA |
29 minLowest about the MA average |
36 min 22% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.5%±6.3 MA: 18.6% |
17.7%±6Highest MA: 18.6% |
7.2%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Shelburne 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 | Rowe |
| High school in town | None 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.