Petersham, MA

Massachusetts

Petersham is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 252. Residents earn $105,938 per year, which is 41% above the national average.

4.9 /5.0
A+ Excellent
252 Population 205/sq mi density
$105,938 Median Income $55,586 per capita
$372,400 Home Value $460,669 Zillow
$1,550 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$105,938 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$372,400 home value, $1,550/mo rent
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
49.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $105,938
41% higher than US avg
Home Value $372,400
32% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 49.1%
46% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,550
33% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.3%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population252
Median Age57.8 yrs
Density205/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$105,938
Per Capita$55,586
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$3,704M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$372,400
Rent$1,550
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$460,669

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain47.7 in/yr
Elevation1,098 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+49.1%
High School+96.0%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 67%
Commute28 min
Libraries30

Is Petersham a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Petersham receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Petersham stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Petersham is $105,938, which is significantly higher than the national average — 41% above $75,149. This places Petersham among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Petersham is $372,400, 32% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,550 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 49.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Petersham experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches, including 60.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Petersham has a population of 252 with a density of 205 people per square mile. The median age is 57.8 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.9%), with 3.6% Hispanic.

Population

252
Total Population
205
People / sq mi
57.8yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.6%
Female 44.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Petersham vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.6%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.4%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Petersham vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Petersham is $105,938, which is 41% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Petersham vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$105,938
41% above US avg
Per Capita Income$55,586
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$72,193

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,581
County GDP$3,704M

Business (County)

Restaurants154
Healthcare172
Retail246
Manufacturing95

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,516
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.5 min
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Petersham is $372,400, 32% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,550 (33% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $460,669.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$372,400
32% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$460,669

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,550
33% 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-Occupied92.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,516
86% above US avg
Effective Rate1.75%
In Petersham, 32.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.3%
1% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma13.1%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity20.3%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate80.2%
Premature Death6,666/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access68.6%
Healthcare Facilities172

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Petersham has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.2°F
13% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall60.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,098 ft (335 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density205/sq mi
Coordinates42.4910°N, 72.1872°W
County FIPS25011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 49.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 37.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 29.6%
D 67.3%

Winner: Democrat by 37.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+49.1%
46% above US avg
High School+96.0%
School Test Score6.49
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density205/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries30
Healthcare Facilities172
Restaurants154
Retail Stores246

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.5 min
Work from Home8.8%

Nearby Cities

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