Compare towns

Whately vs Williamsburg vs Oakham

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%).
Williamsburg has the most people working from home (26.5%).
Oakham has the most homeowners (91.6%).

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.

MeasureWhatelyWilliamsburgOakham
People
Population
1,499Lowest
2,694Highest
1,639
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%
MA: +7.4%
-2.7%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.3±6.7
23% above MA
50±2.4Highest
25% above MA
49±2.3Lowest
23% above MA
Williamsburg and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.4%±3.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±4Highest
MA: 19.4%
18.2%±3.1
MA: 19.4%
Williamsburg and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±6.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
22.7%±3.5
MA: 17.9%
21.4%±2.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Whately and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.6%
MA: 47.3%
60.6%Highest
MA: 47.3%
40.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
6.2%±2.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
Williamsburg and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$116,563±$15kHighest
12% above MA
$104,792±$21k
about the MA average
$102,000±$20kLowest
about the MA average
Whately and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$431,500±$22kHighest
23% below MA
$403,100±$37kLowest
28% below MA
$420,100±$20k
25% below MA
Whately and Oakham 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
$1,420±$228Highest
19% below MA
$1,174±$81
33% below MA
Williamsburg and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,027
16% below MA
$5,761Highest
4% below MA
$4,103Lowest
32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.7%±29Lowest
MA: 51.8%
61%±28Highest
MA: 51.8%
27.8%±69.1
MA: 51.8%
Williamsburg and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.4%Highest
MA: 10%
2.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.4%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.2%
MA: 62.5%
82.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
91.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1955Lowest
9 yrs older than MA
1979Highest
15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
21% below MA
25 min
13% below MA
39 minHighest
32% above MA
Work from home
20.4%±8.5
MA: 18.6%
26.5%±6.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
9.6%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Williamsburg and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Whately Williamsburg Quabbin
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

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.