Compare towns
Williamsburg vs Petersham vs Goshen
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
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%).
Goshen has the most affordable homes ($352k 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.
| Measure | Williamsburg | Petersham | Goshen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,694Highest |
1,185 |
915Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-3.2% MA: +7.4% |
-8.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50±2.4Lowest 25% above MA |
56.3±2.7 41% above MA |
58±5.8Highest 45% above MA |
| Goshen and Petersham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±4Highest MA: 19.4% |
12.7%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
11%±3.2Lowest 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%±4.7 MA: 17.9% |
31.4%±3.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Goshen and Petersham 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% |
47.5% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.9%±3.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Williamsburg and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $104,792±$21k about the MA average |
$110,750±$20kHighest 7% above MA |
$98,906±$10kLowest 5% below 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±$20k 30% below MA |
$351,900±$25kLowest 37% 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±$228 19% below MA |
$1,679±$441Highest 5% below MA |
$869±$727Lowest 51% 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 |
$5,022 16% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 61%±28Highest MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
60%±66.5 MA: 51.8% |
| Williamsburg and Goshen 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% MA: 10% |
11%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
94.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
88.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
1962Highest 2 yrs older than MA |
1961 3 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 13% below MA |
39 minHighest 32% above MA |
31 min 7% above MA |
| Work from home | 26.5%±6.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
16.2%±5.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
19.1%±7.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Williamsburg and Goshen 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 | 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.