Compare towns

Otis vs Windsor 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%).
Windsor has the youngest population (median age 44.8).
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.

MeasureOtisWindsorColrain
People
Population
1,624
1,065Lowest
1,627Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-3.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
51±3.2Highest
28% above MA
44.8±6.4Lowest
12% above MA
49.6±8.7
24% above MA
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
MA: 19.4%
15.8%±5.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.3%±4.2
MA: 19.4%
Windsor and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28%±3.1
MA: 17.9%
18.6%±4.9Lowest
MA: 17.9%
30.4%±4.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
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%
MA: 47.3%
41.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
37.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±2.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.1
MA: 7.9%
Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,898±$6k
5% above MA
$115,563±$10kHighest
11% above MA
$80,673±$10kLowest
22% below MA
Windsor and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$396,700±$40kHighest
29% below MA
$389,700±$32k
31% below MA
$284,300±$14kLowest
49% below MA
Otis and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,318±$924Highest
25% below MA
—
$1,102±$77Lowest
37% below MA
Otis and Colrain 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
$3,867
35% below MA
$4,317Highest
28% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±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%
3.8%
MA: 10%
7.2%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
MA: 62.5%
96.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
86.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minLowest
15% above MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
34 minLowest
15% above MA
Work from home
22.3%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
21.2%±5.8
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Otis and Windsor 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.