Compare towns
Hampden vs Athol vs Wilbraham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
Bordering HampdenMonson
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampden has the oldest population (median age 50.9).
Athol has the most affordable homes ($268k median).
Wilbraham has the most people working from home (12.9%).
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 | Hampden | Athol | Wilbraham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,946Lowest |
12,011 |
14,572Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.9±3.3Highest 27% above MA |
41.3±1.9Lowest 3% above MA |
44.3±2.7 11% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 14%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±3.7Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Wilbraham and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
19.3%±2.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
23%±3.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Hampden and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.9% MA: 47.3% |
20.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
51.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
3.6%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.2%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Wilbraham and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $104,536±$16k about the MA average |
$69,316±$5kLowest 33% below MA |
$122,051±$14kHighest 17% above MA |
| Wilbraham and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $358,200±$16k 36% below MA |
$268,100±$13kLowest 52% below MA |
$416,000±$25kHighest 26% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,132±$107Lowest 36% below MA |
$1,150±$182 35% below MA |
$1,175±$241Highest 33% below MA |
| Wilbraham and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,181 3% above MA |
$3,403Lowest 43% below MA |
$6,658Highest 11% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.9%±42.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.5%±17.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
53.1%±23.8 MA: 51.8% |
| Athol and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
16.3%Highest MA: 10% |
4.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
72.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.8% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1966Highest 2 yrs newer than MA |
1953Lowest 11 yrs older than MA |
1966Highest 2 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 11% below MA |
27 minHighest 8% below MA |
27 min 9% below MA |
| Work from home | 9.9%±3.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
10.6%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
12.9%±3.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Wilbraham and Athol 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 | #199 of 282 in MA | #256 of 282 in MA | #88 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hampden-Wilbraham | Athol-Royalston | Hampden-Wilbraham |
| High school in town | None in town | Athol High | Minnechaug Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.6Lowest |
14.2Highest |
| 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.