Compare towns
Otis vs Unity 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%).
Unity has the oldest population (median age 58).
Oakham has the most kids (18.2% under 18).
Colrain has the most renters (13.5% rent).
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 | Unity | Oakham | Colrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,624 |
1,375Lowest |
1,639Highest |
1,627 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51±3.2 31% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
49±2.3Lowest 26% above U.S. |
49.6±8.7 28% above U.S. |
| Unity and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.3%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Oakham and Colrain 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% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.4%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Unity and Colrain 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% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest 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. |
$87,500±$16k 8% above U.S. |
$102,000±$20k 26% above U.S. |
$80,673±$10kLowest 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. |
$276,100±$29kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$420,100±$20kHighest 26% above U.S. |
$284,300±$14k 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±$924 7% below U.S. |
$1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
$1,174±$81 17% below U.S. |
$1,102±$77Lowest 22% below U.S. |
| Unity and Otis 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. |
$5,394Highest 73% above U.S. |
$4,103 32% above U.S. |
$4,317 38% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
27.8%±69.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±22.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
86.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minLowest 27% above U.S. |
35 min 32% above U.S. |
39 minHighest 46% above U.S. |
34 minLowest 27% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.6%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Farmington River Reg | Unity School District | Quabbin | Mohawk Trail |
| High school in town | None 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.