Compare towns

Heath vs Westhampton vs Colrain

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%).
Westhampton has the most expensive homes ($413k median).
Colrain has the most affordable homes ($284k median).

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.

MeasureHeathWesthamptonColrain
People
Population
765Lowest
1,552
1,627Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%
MA: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.8±11.9Highest
35% above MA
49.3±4.9Lowest
23% above MA
49.6±8.7
24% above MA
Heath and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.1%±2.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18%±4.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.3%±4.2
MA: 19.4%
Westhampton and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.6%±8.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
25.4%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
30.4%±4.1
MA: 17.9%
Heath and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.8%
MA: 47.3%
47%Highest
MA: 47.3%
37.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±2.8
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±2.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Westhampton and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,750±$23k
5% below MA
$100,000±$7kHighest
4% below MA
$80,673±$10kLowest
22% below MA
Westhampton and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$295,000±$45k
48% below MA
$413,200±$24kHighest
26% below MA
$284,300±$14kLowest
49% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,304±$229Highest
26% below MA
$1,102±$77Lowest
37% below MA
Westhampton and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,438
26% below MA
$6,476Highest
8% above MA
$4,317Lowest
28% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±100
MA: 51.8%
33.3%±53.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
46%±22.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
Colrain 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%
6.5%Lowest
MA: 10%
7.2%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.3%
MA: 62.5%
91.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
86.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1969
5 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
20% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
34 min
15% above MA
Work from home
31.7%±17.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
14.1%±4
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Heath and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Hampshire · Westhampton Mohawk Trail
High school in town — Hampshire Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.0
—
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.