Compare towns
Wendell vs Leverett vs Erving vs Plainfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wendell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
Leverett has the most expensive homes ($436k median).
Erving has the youngest population (median age 43.3).
Plainfield has the most kids (19% 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 | Wendell | Leverett | Erving | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 850 |
1,608 |
1,703Highest |
616Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+0.8% MA: +7.4% |
-7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-2.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.1±8.8 18% above MA |
56±6.4Highest 40% above MA |
43.3±2.4Lowest 8% above MA |
50.6±9.5 27% above MA |
| Leverett and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16%±3.5 MA: 19.4% |
13.7%±2.4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
16.3%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Plainfield and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±5.7 MA: 17.9% |
34.8%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.4Lowest MA: 17.9% |
29.5%±7.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Leverett and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 51.2% MA: 47.3% |
67.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
52.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.9 MA: 7.9% |
2.1%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Plainfield and Wendell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $65,288±$14k 37% below MA |
$104,688±$18kHighest about the MA average |
$77,656±$9k 25% below MA |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
| Leverett and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $290,300±$31k 48% below MA |
$435,500±$35kHighest 23% below MA |
$271,800±$20kLowest 52% below MA |
$309,000±$47k 45% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,239±$519 30% below MA |
$1,389±$135Highest 21% below MA |
$1,163±$213Lowest 34% below MA |
$1,292±$558 27% below MA |
| Leverett and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,519 25% below MA |
$6,779Highest 13% above MA |
$1,870Lowest 69% below MA |
$4,458 26% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.6%±40.8 MA: 51.8% |
73.3%±6.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
46.5%±23 MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Leverett and Wendell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 21.3%Highest MA: 10% |
10% MA: 10% |
5.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
16.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.7% MA: 62.5% |
87.2% MA: 62.5% |
81.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1973 9 yrs newer than MA |
1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 13% above MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
28 min 4% below MA |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.8%±7.8 MA: 18.6% |
28.5%±5Highest MA: 18.6% |
3.6%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Leverett and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | New Salem-Wendell | Leverett | Erving | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.