Compare towns

Tyringham vs Blackstone vs Alford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Tyringham has the highest household income ($163k).
Blackstone has the most kids (21.8% under 18).
Alford has the shortest commute (26 min average).

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.

MeasureTyringhamBlackstoneAlford
People
Population
494
9,255Highest
433Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+2%
MA: +7.4%
—
Median age
59.2±2.7
48% above MA
43.2±1.7Lowest
8% above MA
63.1±2.4Highest
58% above MA
Alford and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
8.7%±5.3
MA: 19.4%
21.8%±4Highest
MA: 19.4%
5.1%±6.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
35.2%±8.8
MA: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
43%±4.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Alford and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
66.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
31.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
63.7%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±2.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
1.6%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3%±3.1
MA: 7.9%
Tyringham and Alford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$163,333±$28kHighest
57% above MA
$94,191±$21kLowest
9% below MA
$121,042±$11k
16% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$699,400±$96k
24% above MA
$404,400±$34kLowest
28% below MA
$794,400±$144kHighest
41% above MA
Alford and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,050±$393Lowest
40% below MA
$1,189±$85
33% below MA
$1,750±$1kHighest
about the MA average
Alford and Blackstone are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,632
23% below MA
$5,703Highest
5% below MA
$3,913Lowest
35% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60%±100
MA: 51.8%
65%±18.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Blackstone and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.6%
MA: 10%
8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.3%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1975
11 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
23% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
26 minLowest
12% below MA
Work from home
26.2%±8Highest
MA: 18.6%
17.4%±4.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.2%±6.4
MA: 18.6%
Tyringham and Alford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #207 of 282 in MA —
School district — Blackstone-Millville —
High school in town — Blackstone Millville RHS —
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.6
—
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.