Compare towns
Danielson vs Hardwick vs Putnam
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danielson has the youngest population (median age 34.5).
Hardwick has the most expensive homes ($347k median).
Putnam has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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 | Danielson | Hardwick | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,209 |
2,684Lowest |
9,292Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 34.5±3.6Lowest 11% below U.S. |
45.3±9.8Highest 16% above U.S. |
43.7±3 12% above U.S. |
| Hardwick and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.9%±6.1 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Hardwick and Danielson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 13.6%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.7%±5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.5%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hardwick and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 11.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
20% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 9.2%±6.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±4.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Danielson and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $64,050±$15kLowest 21% below U.S. |
$75,000±$22kHighest 7% below U.S. |
$70,561±$7k 13% below U.S. |
| Hardwick and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $224,600±$13kLowest 32% below U.S. |
$346,700±$67kHighest 4% above U.S. |
$269,200±$11k 19% below U.S. |
| Hardwick and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,235±$194Highest 13% below U.S. |
$1,108±$119Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,149±$44 19% below U.S. |
| Danielson and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,009 29% above U.S. |
$4,400Highest 41% above U.S. |
$3,860Lowest 24% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.7%±17.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
59%±13.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hardwick and Danielson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 21.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
11%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 53%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
68.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
59.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1951Lowest 29 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Highest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1961 19 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 8% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 6.6%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.7%±4.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
9%±2.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Putnam and Hardwick 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 | — | #163 of 282 in MA | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Quabbin | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.5 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.