What stands out worked out from the figures below

West Stockbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).

Leverett has the most affordable homes ($436k 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	West Stockbridge	Leverett
People
Population	1,250Lowest	1,608Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+2.8%Highest MA: +7.4%	+0.8%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	56.8±4.4Highest 42% above MA	56±6.4Lowest 40% above MA
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	16.8%±5.6Highest MA: 19.4%	13.7%±2.4Lowest MA: 19.4%
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	30.4%±3.8Lowest MA: 17.9%	34.8%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9%
	Leverett and West Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	74.2%Highest MA: 47.3%	67.4%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.4%±1.7Highest MA: 7.9%	2.1%±1Lowest MA: 7.9%
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$107,083±$20kHighest 3% above MA	$104,688±$18kLowest about the MA average
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$535,700±$65kHighest 5% below MA	$435,500±$35kLowest 23% below MA
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,518±$281Highest 14% below MA	$1,389±$135Lowest 21% below MA
	West Stockbridge and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,875Lowest 19% below MA	$6,779Highest 13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	63.6%±100Lowest MA: 51.8%	73.3%±6.3Highest MA: 51.8%
	Leverett and West Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7.7%Lowest MA: 10%	10%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	89.9%Highest MA: 62.5%	87.2%Lowest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA	1973Lowest 9 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	25 minLowest 13% below MA	27 minHighest 9% below MA
Work from home	27.3%±8.7Lowest MA: 18.6%	28.5%±5Highest MA: 18.6%
	Leverett and West Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	—	Leverett
High school in town	—	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.