Chester, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Chester is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 692. Residents earn $86,042 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
692 Population 494/sq mi density
$86,042 Median Income $29,152 per capita
$203,300 Home Value $285,845 Zillow
$1,095 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$86,042 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$203,300 home value, $1,095/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $86,042
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $203,300
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.1%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,095
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.2%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.9%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population692
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density494/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

A+
Median Income$86,042
Per Capita$29,152
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty1.9%
County GDP$10,389M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$203,300
Rent$1,095
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$285,845

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain54.1 in/yr
Elevation597 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.1%
High School+97.9%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute30 min
Libraries25

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Chester stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $86,042, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $203,300, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,095 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Chester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.1 inches, including 77.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Chester has a population of 692 with a density of 494 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.4%).

Population

692
Total Population
494
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.9%
Female 55.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $86,042, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$86,042
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$29,152
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$87,508

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.9%
85% 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 Rate3.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $203,300, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,095 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $285,845.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,300
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$285,845
Median List Price$700,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$700,000
$/Sq Ft$165
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio76.0%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,095
6% below 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-Occupied70.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,350
110% above US avg
Effective Rate3.62%
In Chester, 31.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 29.0% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Chester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.2%
3% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma12.6%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression29.0%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death5,587/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Chester has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.3°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.1 inches
42% above US avg
Snowfall77.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation597 ft (182 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density494/sq mi
Coordinates42.2807°N, 72.9801°W
County FIPS25015
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below 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+16.1%
52% below US avg
High School+97.9%
School Test Score6.49
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density494/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities456
Restaurants384
Retail Stores493

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Work from Home1.8%

Nearby Cities

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