Compare towns

Washington vs Millbury vs Becket

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 oldest population (median age 56.5).
Millbury has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
Becket has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonMillburyBecket
People
Population
526Lowest
13,961Highest
1,962
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+4.3%
MA: +7.4%
+8.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
42.6±3.1Lowest
7% above MA
49.6±4.7
24% above MA
Washington and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.3%±5.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±3Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.3%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
Millbury and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.2%±2.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.3%±3.4
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
36.1%
MA: 47.3%
45.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.6%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±2
MA: 7.9%
Millbury and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$95,278±$12k
8% below MA
$118,790±$13kHighest
14% above MA
$80,417±$29kLowest
23% below MA
Millbury and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$370,700±$32k
34% below MA
$450,100±$19kHighest
20% below MA
$361,000±$82kLowest
36% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,623±$232Lowest
8% below MA
$2,107±$1kHighest
20% above MA
Becket and Millbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,381
27% below MA
$5,406Highest
10% below MA
$3,047Lowest
49% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
43.5%±12.5
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Becket and Millbury 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%
5%
MA: 10%
12.1%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.5%
MA: 62.5%
75.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
98.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1965Lowest
1 yr newer than MA
1977Highest
13 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
13% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
12.9%±10.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
14.8%±3.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.3%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
Millbury and Becket 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 — #202 of 282 in MA —
School district — Millbury Central Berkshire
High school in town — Millbury Junior/Senior High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.3
—
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.