Compare towns

Wilbraham vs Rowley vs Hampden

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wilbraham has the most kids (23.2% under 18).
Rowley has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.2%).
Hampden has the most affordable homes ($358k 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.

MeasureWilbrahamRowleyHampden
People
Population
14,572Highest
6,251
4,946Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.8%
MA: +7.4%
+5.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±2.7Lowest
11% above MA
50±6.3
25% above MA
50.9±3.3Highest
27% above MA
Hampden and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.2%±3.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.3%±4.5
MA: 19.4%
14%±3.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Wilbraham and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23%±3.4
MA: 17.9%
21.6%±4.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
26.8%±5.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Hampden and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.9%
MA: 47.3%
56.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
36.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±1.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
4.6%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Wilbraham and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$122,051±$14k
17% above MA
$132,734±$32kHighest
28% above MA
$104,536±$16kLowest
about the MA average
Rowley and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$416,000±$25k
26% below MA
$667,300±$52kHighest
19% above MA
$358,200±$16kLowest
36% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,175±$241
33% below MA
$1,603±$520Highest
9% below MA
$1,132±$107Lowest
36% below MA
Rowley and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,658
11% above MA
$8,309Highest
39% above MA
$6,181Lowest
3% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.1%±23.8
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±27.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
36.9%±42.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Rowley and Wilbraham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.6%Highest
MA: 10%
3.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.8%
MA: 62.5%
81.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
94.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Lowest
2 yrs newer than MA
1975Highest
11 yrs newer than MA
1966Lowest
2 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
9% below MA
28 minHighest
3% below MA
26 minLowest
11% below MA
Work from home
12.9%±3.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±4
MA: 18.6%
9.9%±3.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Wilbraham and Rowley 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 #88 of 282 in MA #214 of 282 in MA #199 of 282 in MA
School district Hampden-Wilbraham Triton Hampden-Wilbraham
High school in town Minnechaug Regional High None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
14.2
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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.