Compare towns

Otis vs Plainfield vs Oakham 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

Otis has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.4%).
Plainfield has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Oakham has the most kids (18.2% 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.

MeasureOtisPlainfieldOakhamColrain
People
Population
1,624
1,314Lowest
1,639Highest
1,627
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51±3.2Highest
31% above U.S.
48.1±5.5Lowest
24% above U.S.
49±2.3
26% above U.S.
49.6±8.7
28% above U.S.
Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16.3%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
Oakham and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
21.1%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.4%±2.3
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Colrain and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
48.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
40.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
37.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Oakham 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
35% above U.S.
$69,250±$31kLowest
14% below U.S.
$102,000±$20k
26% above U.S.
$80,673±$10k
about the U.S. average
Otis and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$396,700±$40k
19% above U.S.
$318,400±$34k
4% below U.S.
$420,100±$20kHighest
26% above U.S.
$284,300±$14kLowest
15% below U.S.
Oakham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,318±$924Highest
7% below U.S.
$1,153±$103
18% below U.S.
$1,174±$81
17% below U.S.
$1,102±$77Lowest
22% below U.S.
Otis and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,408Lowest
23% below U.S.
$4,806Highest
54% above U.S.
$4,103
32% above U.S.
$4,317
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
73.2%±53.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
27.8%±69.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±22.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
1.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
6 yrs older than U.S.
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
1979Highest
1 yr older than U.S.
1963
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
27% above U.S.
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
39 minHighest
46% above U.S.
34 min
27% above U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±7.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
9.6%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Otis and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Farmington River Reg — Quabbin Mohawk Trail
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 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.