What stands out worked out from the figures below

Oakham has the oldest population (median age 49).

Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.1%).

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	Oakham	Halifax
People
Population	1,639Lowest	7,748Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-2.7%Lowest MA: +7.4%	+3.1%Highest MA: +7.4%
Median age	49±2.3Highest 23% above MA	41.9±4.7Lowest 5% above MA
Kids under 18	18.2%±3.1Lowest MA: 19.4%	22.2%±5.9Highest MA: 19.4%
	Halifax and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21.4%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9%	18.8%±3.6Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Oakham and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	40.3%Highest MA: 47.3%	36.1%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.8%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9%	5%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9%
	Halifax and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$102,000±$20kLowest about the MA average	$118,556±$11kHighest 14% above MA
	Halifax and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$420,100±$20kLowest 25% below MA	$481,500±$51kHighest 14% below MA
	Halifax and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,174±$81Lowest 33% below MA	$1,804±$375Highest about the MA average
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,103Lowest 32% below MA	$6,840Highest 14% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	27.8%±69.1Lowest MA: 51.8%	45.6%±37.4Highest MA: 51.8%
	Halifax and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	4.4%Highest MA: 10%	2.6%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	91.6%Lowest MA: 62.5%	95.5%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1979 15 yrs newer than MA	1979 15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	39 minHighest 32% above MA	35 minLowest 22% above MA
Work from home	9.6%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6%	13.9%±5.3Highest MA: 18.6%
	Halifax and Oakham 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	—	#120 of 282 in MA
School district	Quabbin	Halifax
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.