Compare towns

Whately vs Chilmark vs Hatfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Whately has the most affordable homes ($432k median).
Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Hatfield has the most renters (25.4% rent).

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.

MeasureWhatelyChilmarkHatfield
People
Population
1,499Lowest
1,578
3,325Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.4%
MA: +7.4%
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.3±6.7
23% above MA
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
46.8±5Lowest
17% above MA
Chilmark and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
16.7%±4.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
14%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Chilmark and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±6.3
MA: 17.9%
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
23.3%±4.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.6%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
68.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
48.5%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±2.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
Hatfield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$116,563±$15k
12% above MA
$168,750±$28kHighest
62% above MA
$89,005±$25kLowest
14% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$431,500±$22kLowest
23% below MA
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$440,800±$26k
22% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$977±$125Lowest
45% below MA
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$1,267±$216
28% below MA
Chilmark and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,027Highest
16% below MA
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$4,930
18% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.7%±29Lowest
MA: 51.8%
30.8%±59.9
MA: 51.8%
42.6%±11.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
Hatfield and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.4%
MA: 10%
4.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
8.9%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.2%
MA: 62.5%
89.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
74.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
21% below MA
32 minHighest
8% above MA
20 minLowest
30% below MA
Work from home
20.4%±8.5
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±11Highest
MA: 18.6%
16%±6.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Chilmark and Whately 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 — — #198 of 282 in MA
School district Whately Up-Island Regional Hatfield
High school in town None in town None in town Smith Academy
Students per teacherat that high school — —
6.1
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.