What stands out worked out from the figures below

Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).

Charlemont has the most renters (21.7% rent).

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	Heath	Charlemont
People
Population	765Lowest	1,118Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+2.4%Highest MA: +7.4%	-6.4%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	53.8±11.9Lowest 35% above MA	59.6±6.7Highest 49% above MA
	Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.1%±2.8Highest MA: 19.4%	7%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4%
Age 65+	33.6%±8.2Lowest MA: 17.9%	41.1%±10.2Highest MA: 17.9%
	Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	46.8%Highest MA: 47.3%	29%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.3%±2.8Highest MA: 7.9%	1%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9%
	Heath and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$98,750±$23kHighest 5% below MA	$53,063±$12kLowest 49% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$295,000±$45kLowest 48% below MA	$305,500±$52kHighest 46% below MA
	Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$1,023±$126 42% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,438Highest 26% below MA	$4,351Lowest 27% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8%	56.1%±18.8Highest MA: 51.8%
	Charlemont and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	6.6%Lowest MA: 10%	14.3%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	88.3%Highest MA: 62.5%	78.3%Lowest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA	1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	35 minLowest 20% above MA	37 minHighest 27% above MA
Work from home	31.7%±17.1Highest MA: 18.6%	16.5%±6.3Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Heath and Charlemont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	—	Hawlemont
High school in town	—	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.