Living in Petersham, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Petersham · Census data 2020–2024
Petersham has 1,185 residents with a median age of 56.3. The median household income is $110,750 (7% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $392,400, the median rent is $1,679/month.
Petersham is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Petersham at a glance
- Population
- 1,185
- Median age
- 56.3State: 40
- Median household income
- $110,750State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $392,400State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,679/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 94.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42.6%
- Average commute
- 39 min
Is Petersham a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 7% higher than the Massachusetts median; home values 30% lower than the state median; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 8.8%.
Cons: An average commute of 39 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Petersham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Petersham the median home value is $392,400, 18% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,679 per month, which is 24.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,109 a month in housing costs.
Petersham median household income
The median household income in Petersham is $110,750 and the income per person is $49,382. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Petersham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 525
- Owner-occupied
- 94.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 5.8%
- Vacant
- 11%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1962
- Average household size
- 2.42
Petersham demographics
- Population
- 1,185
- Median age
- 56.3
- Under 18
- 12.7%
- 65 and older
- 30.5%
- Households
- 467
- Foreign-born
- 1.9%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Petersham ›
Education in Petersham
42.6% of adults 25 and older in Petersham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 23.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Petersham
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 39 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 16.2%
- Drive alone
- 75.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.5%
Petersham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersham | 1,185 | $110,750 | $392,400 | $1,679 |
| New Salem | 1,054 | $79,688 | $359,000 | $1,194 |
| Barre | 5,572 | $107,727 | $394,300 | $1,030 |
| Hardwick | 2,684 | $75,000 | $346,700 | $1,108 |
| Phillipston | 1,895 | $94,692 | $372,400 | $1,375 |
| Athol | 12,011 | $69,316 | $268,100 | $1,150 |
| New Braintree | 973 | $99,500 | $408,800 | $1,484 |
| Templeton | 8,252 | $101,154 | $358,500 | $1,207 |
| Shutesbury | 1,910 | $123,333 | $376,100 | $1,721 |
More for people moving to Petersham
Petersham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Petersham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Petersham, MA?
The median household income in Petersham is $110,750, 7% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Petersham?
The median home value in Petersham is $392,400, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Petersham?
The median gross rent in Petersham is $1,679 per month, about 24.2% of household income.
Is Petersham, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 7% higher than the Massachusetts median; home values 30% lower than the state median; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 8.8%. Minuses: an average commute of 39 minutes.
What is the median age in Petersham?
The median age in Petersham is 56.3 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Petersham?
The average commute to work in Petersham is 39 minutes; 16.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Petersham?
The unemployment rate in Petersham is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Petersham?
42.6% of adults in Petersham have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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