Compare towns

Whately vs Townsend vs Westhampton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Whately has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.4%).
Townsend has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
Westhampton has the most affordable homes ($413k 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.

MeasureWhatelyTownsendWesthampton
People
Population
1,499Lowest
9,100Highest
1,552
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.3%
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.3±6.7Highest
23% above MA
40.9±3.3Lowest
about the MA average
49.3±4.9Highest
23% above MA
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21%±3.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
18%±4.1
MA: 19.4%
Townsend and Westhampton 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%
17.1%±2.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
25.4%±2.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
Westhampton 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%Highest
MA: 47.3%
35.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
47%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±2.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±2.4
MA: 7.9%
Townsend and Westhampton 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
$121,528±$23kHighest
17% above MA
$100,000±$7kLowest
4% below MA
Townsend and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$431,500±$22k
23% below MA
$433,200±$22kHighest
23% below MA
$413,200±$24kLowest
26% below MA
Townsend and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$977±$125Lowest
45% below MA
$1,469±$313Highest
17% below MA
$1,304±$229
26% below MA
Townsend and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,027Lowest
16% below MA
$6,031
about the MA average
$6,476Highest
8% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.7%±29Lowest
MA: 51.8%
50.6%±16.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
33.3%±53.5
MA: 51.8%
Townsend and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
8.9%Highest
MA: 10%
6.5%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.2%
MA: 62.5%
82%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
91.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1969Lowest
5 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
21% below MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
29 min
about the MA average
Work from home
20.4%±8.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
14.1%±4
MA: 18.6%
Whately and Westhampton 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 — #136 of 282 in MA —
School district Whately North Middlesex Hampshire · Westhampton
High school in town None in town North Middlesex Regional Hampshire Regional High
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.1Highest
10.0Lowest
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.