Compare towns
Hardwick vs Ware vs Hinsdale
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hardwick has the most expensive homes ($347k median).
Ware has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
Hinsdale has the most homeowners (78.8%).
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 | Hardwick | Ware | Hinsdale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,684 |
6,369Highest |
1,859Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+1.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-5.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±9.8Highest 13% above MA |
39.8±6Lowest about the MA average |
43.8±10.1 9% above MA |
| Hardwick and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±5.6 MA: 19.4% |
23.3%±4.4Highest MA: 19.4% |
15%±4.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Ware and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±5Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.4%±3.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.3%±4.5 MA: 17.9% |
| Hardwick and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
15.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
24% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.2%±4.4 MA: 7.9% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±4.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Hinsdale and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,000±$22k 28% below MA |
$45,158±$11kLowest 57% below MA |
$77,845±$17kHighest 25% below MA |
| Hinsdale and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $346,700±$67kHighest 38% below MA |
$253,400±$31kLowest 55% below MA |
$267,600±$35k 52% below MA |
| Hardwick and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,108±$119 37% below MA |
$1,039±$104Lowest 41% below MA |
$1,109±$118Highest 37% below MA |
| Hinsdale and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,400Highest 27% below MA |
$3,408 43% below MA |
$3,065Lowest 49% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59%±13.8 MA: 51.8% |
64.5%±17.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
38.3%±24.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Ware and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11% MA: 10% |
14.1%Highest MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 68.2% MA: 62.5% |
57.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
78.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1958 6 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 7% above MA |
27 min 9% below MA |
23 minLowest 20% below MA |
| Work from home | 8.7%±4.3 MA: 18.6% |
16.6%±5Highest MA: 18.6% |
7.7%±4.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Ware 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 | #267 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Quabbin | — | Central Berkshire |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.