What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williamsburg has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).

Petersham has the most homeowners (94.2%).

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	Williamsburg	Petersham
People
Population	2,694Highest	1,185Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+0.9%Highest MA: +7.4%	-3.2%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	50±2.4Lowest 25% above MA	56.3±2.7Highest 41% above MA
Kids under 18	18.6%±4Highest MA: 19.4%	12.7%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4%
	Williamsburg and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	22.7%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9%	30.5%±4.7Highest MA: 17.9%
	Petersham and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	60.6%Highest MA: 47.3%	42.6%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9%	4%±1.7Lowest MA: 7.9%
	Williamsburg and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$104,792±$21kLowest about the MA average	$110,750±$20kHighest 7% above MA
	Petersham and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$403,100±$37kHighest 28% below MA	$392,400±$20kLowest 30% below MA
	Williamsburg and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,420±$228Lowest 19% below MA	$1,679±$441Highest 5% below MA
	Petersham and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,761Highest 4% below MA	$4,636Lowest 23% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	61%±28Highest MA: 51.8%	20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Williamsburg and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	2.3%Lowest MA: 10%	8.8%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	82.2%Lowest MA: 62.5%	94.2%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA	1962Highest 2 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	25 minLowest 13% below MA	39 minHighest 32% above MA
Work from home	26.5%±6.7Highest MA: 18.6%	16.2%±5.8Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Williamsburg and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Williamsburg	Petersham
High school in town	None 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.