Compare towns

Halifax vs Wheelock vs Colrain

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).
Colrain has the highest household income ($81k).

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.

MeasureHalifaxWheelockColrain
People
Population
847
717Lowest
1,627Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.6±13.1Lowest
4% above U.S.
51±5.6Highest
31% above U.S.
49.6±8.7
28% above U.S.
Wheelock and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.8%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Halifax and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.6%±7.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.4%±4.7
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Colrain and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below U.S.
$64,792±$20k
20% below U.S.
$80,673±$10kHighest
about the U.S. average
Colrain and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$267,500±$21k
20% below U.S.
$189,600±$37kLowest
43% below U.S.
$284,300±$14kHighest
15% below U.S.
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$875±$154Lowest
38% below U.S.
—
$1,102±$77Highest
22% below U.S.
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,991Highest
60% above U.S.
$2,937Lowest
6% below U.S.
$4,317
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±73.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±22.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Halifax and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
97.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
23% above U.S.
28 minLowest
4% above U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
29.9%±11.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.1%±16
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Halifax and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Halifax School District — Mohawk Trail
High school in town None in town — None in town
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.