Compare towns
Lowell vs Stark vs Berkshire
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Stark has the oldest population (median age 58.8).
Berkshire has the most expensive homes ($245k 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.
| Measure | Lowell | Stark | Berkshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070 |
419Lowest |
1,745Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-14%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-8.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5 15% below U.S. |
58.8±3.6Highest 51% above U.S. |
31.6±6.9Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.2%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Lowell and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
14.8%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
17.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
22%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±4.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Berkshire and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below U.S. |
$71,750±$23kHighest 11% below U.S. |
$71,406±$21k 12% below U.S. |
| Stark and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 45% below U.S. |
$197,700±$34k 41% below U.S. |
$244,600±$26kHighest 26% below U.S. |
| Berkshire and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Lowest 33% below U.S. |
— | $1,525±$267Highest 8% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810 10% below U.S. |
$2,636Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$3,545Highest 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
66.7%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.4%±52.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Stark and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
14.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
77.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 109% above U.S. |
34 min 28% above U.S. |
32 minLowest 22% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±6.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Stark and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Lowell School District | Stark School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school in town | None 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.