Compare towns
Washington vs Chilmark vs Middlefield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Middlefield has the most affordable homes ($333k 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.
| Measure | Washington | Chilmark | Middlefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 526 |
1,578Highest |
352Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -8.2% MA: +7.4% |
+40%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-26.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 56.5±7.7 41% above MA |
53.6±8.1Lowest 34% above MA |
56.9±3.7Highest 42% above MA |
| Middlefield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.3%±5.9 MA: 19.4% |
16.7%±4.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
4.5%±9.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Chilmark and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 35.4%±1.5 MA: 17.9% |
36.2%±12.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
28.7%±8.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Chilmark and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.1% MA: 47.3% |
68.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
31.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.7%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Middlefield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $95,278±$12kLowest 8% below MA |
$168,750±$28kHighest 62% above MA |
$103,750±$23k about the MA average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $370,700±$32k 34% below MA |
$1,895,300±$281kHighest 237% above MA |
$332,800±$48kLowest 41% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $2,750±$2kHighest 56% above MA |
$2,625±$1kLowest 49% above MA |
| Chilmark and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,381Lowest 27% below MA |
$4,485 25% below MA |
$4,926Highest 18% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
30.8%±59.9 MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Middlefield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.1% MA: 10% |
12.2%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.5% MA: 62.5% |
89.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
94.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1984Highest 20 yrs newer than MA |
1971Lowest 7 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 13% below MA |
32 minHighest 8% above MA |
30 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 12.9%±10.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
25.7%±11Highest MA: 18.6% |
13.2%±9.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Chilmark and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Up-Island Regional | — |
| 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.