What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampden has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.4%).

Monson has the most kids (18.1% 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Hampden	Monson
People
Population	4,946Lowest	8,136Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-3.4%Highest MA: +7.4%	-4.8%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	50.9±3.3Highest 27% above MA	47.8±3.2Lowest 20% above MA
	Hampden and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	14%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4%	18.1%±3.4Highest MA: 19.4%
	Monson and Hampden 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%	23.2%±3.8Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Hampden and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	36.9%Highest MA: 47.3%	29.2%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.6%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9%	6.3%±2.2Highest MA: 7.9%
	Monson 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±$16kHighest about the MA average	$96,688±$14kLowest 7% below MA
	Hampden and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$358,200±$16kHighest 36% below MA	$348,400±$15kLowest 38% below MA
	Hampden and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,132±$107Highest 36% below MA	$871±$215Lowest 51% below MA
	Hampden and Monson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$6,181Highest 3% above MA	$4,877Lowest 19% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	36.9%±42.4Lowest MA: 51.8%	48.9%±13.3Highest MA: 51.8%
	Monson and Hampden 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%	8.5%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	94.9%Highest MA: 62.5%	82.5%Lowest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1966Lowest 2 yrs newer than MA	1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	26 minLowest 11% below MA	34 minHighest 18% above MA
Work from home	9.9%±3.7Lowest MA: 18.6%	10.7%±7.5Highest MA: 18.6%
	Monson and Hampden 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	#235 of 282 in MA
School district	Hampden-Wilbraham	Monson
High school in town	None in town	Monson High School
Students per teacherat that high school	—	8.2
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.