Compare towns

Leyden vs Northfield vs Colrain

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Leyden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Northfield has the most kids (20.3% under 18).
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.

MeasureLeydenNorthfieldColrain
People
Population
637Lowest
4,971Highest
1,627
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.2±8.2Highest
37% above U.S.
42.6±5.1Lowest
10% above U.S.
49.6±8.7
28% above U.S.
Leyden and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.8%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
20.3%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
Northfield and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.6%±2.7
U.S.: 17.2%
17.2%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Colrain and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
23.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Northfield and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,893±$13kHighest
31% above U.S.
$92,917±$15k
15% above U.S.
$80,673±$10kLowest
about the U.S. average
Leyden and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$372,900±$24kHighest
12% above U.S.
$288,500±$33k
13% below U.S.
$284,300±$14kLowest
15% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,917±$451Highest
36% above U.S.
$1,076±$182Lowest
24% below U.S.
$1,102±$77
22% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,651
49% above U.S.
$5,097Highest
63% above U.S.
$4,317Lowest
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
24.1%±14.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±22.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Colrain and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1979Highest
1 yr older than U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
23% above U.S.
26 minLowest
3% below U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
11%±5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
6.9%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Leyden and Colrain 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 — #109 of 120 in NH —
School district — Winnisquam Regional School District Mohawk Trail
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.