Compare towns
Otis vs Plainfield vs Colrain
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Otis has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.4%).
Plainfield has the most kids (19% 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.
| Measure | Otis | Plainfield | Colrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,624 |
616Lowest |
1,627Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.3% MA: +7.4% |
-3.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51±3.2Highest 28% above MA |
50.6±9.5 27% above MA |
49.6±8.7Lowest 24% above MA |
| Otis and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
15.3%±4.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Plainfield and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28%±3.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
29.5%±7.1 MA: 17.9% |
30.4%±4.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Colrain and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.2% MA: 47.3% |
52.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
37.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Plainfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,898±$6kHighest 5% above MA |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
$80,673±$10k 22% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $396,700±$40kHighest 29% below MA |
$309,000±$47k 45% below MA |
$284,300±$14kLowest 49% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,318±$924Highest 25% below MA |
$1,292±$558 27% below MA |
$1,102±$77Lowest 37% below MA |
| Otis and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,408Lowest 60% below MA |
$4,458Highest 26% below MA |
$4,317 28% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46%±22.8 MA: 51.8% |
| Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.7% MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
86.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minLowest 15% above MA |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
34 minLowest 15% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Plainfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Farmington River Reg | — | Mohawk Trail |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.