Compare towns
Erving vs Heath vs Plainfield vs Wales
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Erving has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).
Plainfield has the most homeowners (98%).
Wales has the most kids (23.1% 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 | Erving | Heath | Plainfield | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,703 |
765 |
616Lowest |
1,929Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.3% MA: +7.4% |
-0.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.3±2.4 8% above MA |
53.8±11.9Highest 35% above MA |
50.6±9.5 27% above MA |
42.3±4.7Lowest 6% above MA |
| Heath and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
13.1%±2.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3 MA: 19.4% |
23.1%±5.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Wales and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±2.4 MA: 17.9% |
33.6%±8.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
29.5%±7.1 MA: 17.9% |
19.2%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Heath and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.1% MA: 47.3% |
46.8% MA: 47.3% |
52.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
22.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.3%±2.8 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.3%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
| Plainfield and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,656±$9k 25% below MA |
$98,750±$23kHighest 5% below MA |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
$89,006±$6k 14% below MA |
| Heath and Wales are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,800±$20kLowest 52% below MA |
$295,000±$45k 48% below MA |
$309,000±$47kHighest 45% below MA |
$296,200±$26k 47% below MA |
| Plainfield and Wales are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,163±$213 34% below MA |
— | $1,292±$558Highest 27% below MA |
$1,104±$242Lowest 37% below MA |
| Plainfield and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,870Lowest 69% below MA |
$4,438 26% below MA |
$4,458 26% below MA |
$4,534Highest 24% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.5%±23 MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
58%±20.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Wales and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.2% MA: 10% |
6.6% MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
5.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.3% MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
89.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1983Highest 19 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 4% below MA |
35 min 20% above MA |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 3.6%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
31.7%±17.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
13.6%±5.7 MA: 18.6% |
| Heath and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Erving | — | — | Wales |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.