Compare towns

Chilmark vs Wakefield vs Leverett

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Wakefield has the youngest population (median age 42.4).
Leverett has the most affordable homes ($436k median).

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.

MeasureChilmarkWakefieldLeverett
People
Population
1,578Lowest
27,793Highest
1,608
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+8.7%
MA: +7.4%
+0.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±8.1
34% above MA
42.4±1.7Lowest
6% above MA
56±6.4Highest
40% above MA
Leverett and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.7%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
20%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.7%±2.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Wakefield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
19%±1.9Lowest
MA: 17.9%
34.8%±4.4
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
59.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
67.4%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
4.4%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.1%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Wakefield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$168,750±$28kHighest
62% above MA
$134,306±$14k
29% above MA
$104,688±$18kLowest
about the MA average
Chilmark and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$723,500±$24k
29% above MA
$435,500±$35kLowest
23% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$1,958±$102
11% above MA
$1,389±$135Lowest
21% below MA
Chilmark and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$7,779Highest
30% above MA
$6,779
13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±59.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
43.7%±7.9
MA: 51.8%
73.3%±6.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
4.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.9%
MA: 10%
10%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
70.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
87.2%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1973
9 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
8% above MA
33 minHighest
14% above MA
27 minLowest
9% below MA
Work from home
25.7%±11
MA: 18.6%
24.6%±3.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
28.5%±5Highest
MA: 18.6%
Leverett and Chilmark 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 — #179 of 282 in MA —
School district Up-Island Regional Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical · Wakefield Leverett
High school in town None in town Northeast Metro Regional Vocational None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.7
—
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.