Monson Center, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Monson Center is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 1,794. Residents earn $58,603 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,794 Population 534/sq mi density
$58,603 Median Income $37,461 per capita
$279,500 Home Value
$770 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$58,603 median income, 10.8% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$279,500 home value, $770/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,603
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $279,500
1% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.8%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $770
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.9%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.8%
200% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.0%
61% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,794
Median Age47.3 yrs
Density534/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

C
Median Income$58,603
Per Capita$37,461
Unemployment10.8%
Poverty20.0%
County GDP$30,598M
Commute44 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$279,500
Rent$770
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain48.6 in/yr
Elevation721 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+90.7%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 53%
Commute44 min
Libraries33

Is Monson Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Monson Center receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Monson Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Monson Center is $58,603, 22% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 20.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Monson Center is $279,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $770 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Monson Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.6 inches, including 63.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Monson Center has a population of 1,794 with a density of 534 people per square mile. The median age is 47.3 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 2% Black.

Population

1,794
Total Population
534
People / sq mi
47.3yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Monson Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.5%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.5%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Monson Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Monson Center is $58,603, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes.

Income: Monson Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,603
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,461
Avg Weekly Wage$1,208
IRS Avg AGI$69,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.8%
200% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.0%
61% above US avg
Establishments (County)18,727
County GDP$30,598M

Business (County)

Restaurants907
Healthcare1,223
Retail1,468
Manufacturing478

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time44.4 min
Work from Home15.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Monson Center is $279,500, 1% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $770 (34% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$279,500
1% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$255
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.3%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$770
34% 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-Occupied59.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Rate2.33%
In Monson Center, 32.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Monson Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.9%
2% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma13.1%
COPD6.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death8,992/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access95.7%
Healthcare Facilities1,223

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Monson Center has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.6 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall63.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation721 ft (220 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²)
Population Density534/sq mi
Coordinates42.0979°N, 72.2961°W
County FIPS25013
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.5%
D 53.4%

Winner: Democrat by 8.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.8%
26% below US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score6.49
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density534/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries33
Healthcare Facilities1,223
Restaurants907
Retail Stores1,468

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute44.4 min
Work from Home15.0%

Nearby Cities

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