What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hinsdale has grown the fastest since 2010 (-5.6%).

Chester has the most kids (24.1% 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	Hinsdale	Chester
People
Population	1,859Highest	1,240Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-5.6%Highest MA: +7.4%	-8.2%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	43.8±10.1Lowest 9% above MA	45.9±3.7Highest 15% above MA
	Chester and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	15%±4.7Lowest MA: 19.4%	24.1%±8.5Highest MA: 19.4%
	Chester and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	22.3%±4.5Highest MA: 17.9%	16.5%±1.9Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Hinsdale and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	24%Lowest MA: 47.3%	27.3%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	8.1%±4.2Highest MA: 7.9%	2.4%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$77,845±$17kLowest 25% below MA	$89,390±$6kHighest 14% below MA
	Chester and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$267,600±$35kLowest 52% below MA	$281,900±$14kHighest 50% below MA
	Chester and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,109±$118Highest 37% below MA	$1,104±$71Lowest 37% below MA
	Hinsdale and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,065Lowest 49% below MA	$4,522Highest 25% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	38.3%±24.6Lowest MA: 51.8%	54.1%±22.6Highest MA: 51.8%
	Chester and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	3.1%Highest MA: 10%	1.8%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	78.8%Lowest MA: 62.5%	82.5%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1958Highest 6 yrs older than MA	1951Lowest 13 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	23 minLowest 20% below MA	32 minHighest 9% above MA
Work from home	7.7%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6%	7%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Hinsdale and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Central Berkshire	Gateway
High school in town	None 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.