Amherst Town, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Amherst Town is a mid-size city in Massachusetts with a population of 35,472. Residents earn $65,938 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
35,472 Population 1,284/sq mi density
$65,938 Median Income $29,347 per capita
$454,000 Home Value
$1,570 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$65,938 median income, 4.8% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$454,000 home value, $1,570/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
73.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,938
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $454,000
61% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 73.8%
119% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,570
35% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.5%
24% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

How Amherst Town Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population35,472
Median Age21.3 yrs
Density1,284/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 68%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,938
Per Capita$29,347
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$10,389M
Commute19 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$454,000
Rent$1,570
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.1%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation266 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+73.8%
High School+97.1%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute19 min
Libraries25

Is Amherst Town a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Amherst Town receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Amherst Town offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938, 12% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Amherst Town is $454,000, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,570 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Amherst Town is a highly educated community — 73.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Amherst Town experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches, including 36.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Amherst Town has a population of 35,472 with a density of 1,284 people per square mile. The median age is 21.3 years, 45% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.9%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 4.7% Black.

Population

35,472
Total Population
1,284
People / sq mi
21.3yrs
Median Age
45% below US avg
27.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Amherst Town vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.2%
1% above US avg
Spanish20.8%
55% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Amherst Town vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Amherst Town vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,938
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,347
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$87,508

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,928
County GDP$10,389M

Business (County)

Restaurants384
Healthcare456
Retail493
Manufacturing138

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,350
110% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.0 min
Work from Home19.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Amherst Town is $454,000, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,570 (35% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$454,000
61% above US avg
Median List Price$480,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$480,000
$/Sq Ft$373
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.3%
Price Drops6.7%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,570
35% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied45.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,350
110% above US avg
Effective Rate1.62%
In Amherst Town, 24.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.1% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Amherst Town vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.5%
24% below US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure27.5%
Asthma11.8%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.7%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression26.1%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate80.5%
Premature Death5,587/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access92.9%
Healthcare Facilities456

Crime Rates: Amherst Town vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Amherst Town has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall36.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation266 ft (81 m)
Area27.6 sq mi (71.5 km²)
Population Density1,284/sq mi
Coordinates42.3635°N, 72.5073°W
County FIPS25015
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 73.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (119% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 41.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 27.6%
D 69.5%

Winner: Democrat by 41.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+73.8%
119% above US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score6.49
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,284/sq mi
Total Area27.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities456
Restaurants384
Retail Stores493

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.0 min
Work from Home19.3%

Nearby Cities

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