Compare towns
Heath vs Washington vs Charlemont
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).
Washington has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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.
| Measure | Heath | Washington | Charlemont |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 765 |
526Lowest |
1,118Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-8.2%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-6.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.8±11.9Lowest 35% above MA |
56.5±7.7 41% above MA |
59.6±6.7Highest 49% above MA |
| Charlemont and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.1%±2.8 MA: 19.4% |
13.3%±5.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
7%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Washington and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.6%±8.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
35.4%±1.5 MA: 17.9% |
41.1%±10.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Charlemont and Washington 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% |
32.1% MA: 47.3% |
29%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±2.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.3%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
1%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Heath and Washington 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 |
$95,278±$12k 8% below MA |
$53,063±$12kLowest 49% below MA |
| Heath and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $295,000±$45kLowest 48% below MA |
$370,700±$32kHighest 34% below MA |
$305,500±$52k 46% below MA |
| Washington and Charlemont 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 |
$4,381 27% below MA |
$4,351Lowest 27% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 MA: 51.8% |
0%±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% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
14.3%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.3% MA: 62.5% |
92.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
78.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 20% above MA |
25 minLowest 13% below MA |
37 minHighest 27% above MA |
| Work from home | 31.7%±17.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
12.9%±10.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
16.5%±6.3 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 | 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.