Compare towns
Russell vs Colrain vs Montgomery
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Russell has the shortest commute (30 min average).
Colrain has the most affordable homes ($284k median).
Montgomery has the most kids (22% under 18).
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 | Russell | Colrain | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,197 |
1,627Highest |
796Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-3.9% MA: +7.4% |
-2.3%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.7±7.6Lowest 19% above MA |
49.6±8.7 24% above MA |
49.7±5.8Highest 24% above MA |
| Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 10.4%±4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
15.3%±4.2 MA: 19.4% |
22%±5.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.8%±2.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
30.4%±4.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
24.9%±7 MA: 17.9% |
| Colrain and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
37.3% MA: 47.3% |
38.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±4.3 MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.3%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Montgomery and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,750±$24k 5% above MA |
$80,673±$10kLowest 22% below MA |
$123,000±$19kHighest 18% above MA |
| Montgomery and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $303,300±$32k 46% below MA |
$284,300±$14kLowest 49% below MA |
$357,500±$29kHighest 36% below MA |
| Montgomery and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,013±$330Lowest 43% below MA |
$1,102±$77Highest 37% below MA |
— |
| Colrain and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,104Highest 15% below MA |
$4,317 28% below MA |
$4,283Lowest 29% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.6%±20.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46%±22.8 MA: 51.8% |
50%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.3% MA: 10% |
7.2%Highest MA: 10% |
1.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
86.5% MA: 62.5% |
96.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1978Highest 14 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minLowest 3% above MA |
34 min 15% above MA |
36 minHighest 23% above MA |
| Work from home | 9.2%±4.3 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
9.4%±6Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Montgomery and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Mohawk Trail | — |
| High school 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.