Compare towns
Northfield vs Webster vs Erving vs Brimfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Northfield has the most people working from home (16.5%).
Webster has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Erving has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Brimfield has the most kids (21.2% 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.
| Measure | Northfield | Webster | Erving | Brimfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,872 |
17,748Highest |
1,703Lowest |
3,705 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.5% MA: +7.4% |
+6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.9±4.2Highest 22% above MA |
39.9±2.9Lowest about the MA average |
43.3±2.4 8% above MA |
43.7±5.3 9% above MA |
| Northfield and Brimfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.8%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±2.9 MA: 19.4% |
16.3%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
21.2%±6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Brimfield and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 25.5%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
19.6%±2.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.4 MA: 17.9% |
22.3%±4.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Northfield and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.4% MA: 47.3% |
25.3% MA: 47.3% |
24.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
44.7%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±3 MA: 7.9% |
5.8%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
| Webster and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $103,375±$10k about the MA average |
$72,895±$6kLowest 30% below MA |
$77,656±$9k 25% below MA |
$111,250±$22kHighest 7% above MA |
| Brimfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $375,800±$31k 33% below MA |
$361,500±$12k 36% below MA |
$271,800±$20kLowest 52% below MA |
$389,100±$27kHighest 31% below MA |
| Brimfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$200 35% below MA |
$1,228±$81Highest 30% below MA |
$1,163±$213 34% below MA |
$886±$365Lowest 50% below MA |
| Webster and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 23% below MA |
$3,999 33% below MA |
$1,870Lowest 69% below MA |
$5,128Highest 14% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.2%±25.9 MA: 51.8% |
45.7%±6.7Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46.5%±23 MA: 51.8% |
53.2%±25.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Brimfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.8% MA: 10% |
12.7%Highest MA: 10% |
5.2% MA: 10% |
3.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.1% MA: 62.5% |
59.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.5% MA: 62.5% |
87.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 8% above MA |
31 min 5% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
34 minHighest 16% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.5%±10.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
8%±2.5 MA: 18.6% |
3.6%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
13.7%±5.7 MA: 18.6% |
| Northfield and Brimfield 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 | #231 of 282 in MA | #271 of 282 in MA | — | #108 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Pioneer Valley | Webster | Erving | Brimfield |
| High school in town | Pioneer Valley Regional | Bartlett High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
11.6Highest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.