West Brookfield, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

West Brookfield is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 1,518. Residents earn $59,734 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,518 Population 1,205/sq mi density
$59,734 Median Income $34,833 per capita
$282,900 Home Value $399,949 Zillow
$1,081 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
26 Violent Crime/100K 502 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$59,734 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$282,900 home value, $1,081/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
26 violent crimes/100K (93% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,734
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $282,900
0% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 26/100K
93% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.8%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,081
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.5%
33% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,518
Median Age58.7 yrs
Density1,205/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

B
Median Income$59,734
Per Capita$34,833
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty16.5%
County GDP$30,598M
Commute39 min

Housing

A
Home Value$282,900
Rent$1,081
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$399,949

Crime

F
Violent26/100K
Property502/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault26/100K
Burglary132/100K

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain48.6 in/yr
Elevation600 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.8%
High School+92.4%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 53%
Commute39 min
Libraries33

Is West Brookfield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Brookfield receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. West Brookfield has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Brookfield is $59,734, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 16.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Brookfield is $282,900, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,081 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

West Brookfield is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 502 per 100,000, 74% below the national average.

Education

25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

West Brookfield 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.

West Brookfield has a population of 1,518 with a density of 1,205 people per square mile. The median age is 58.7 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.2%).

Population

1,518
Total Population
1,205
People / sq mi
58.7yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.3%
Female 56.7%

Race & Ethnicity

West Brookfield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Brookfield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Brookfield is $59,734, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes.

Income: West Brookfield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,734
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,833
Avg Weekly Wage$1,208
IRS Avg AGI$69,945

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.5%
33% 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 Rate2.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.5 min
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in West Brookfield is $282,900, 0% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,081 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $399,949.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$282,900
0% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$399,949

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$308
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,081
7% 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-Occupied60.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,506
86% above US avg
Effective Rate2.30%
In West Brookfield, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.7% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Brookfield vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma13.7%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression30.7%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate80.0%
Premature Death8,992/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access95.7%
Healthcare Facilities1,223
West Brookfield has a violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000 residents, 93% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 502 per 100,000 (74% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent26.4/100K
93% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault26.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property502.1/100K
74% below US avg
Burglary132.1/100K
Theft343.6/100K
Vehicle Theft26.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Brookfield 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

Elevation600 ft (183 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density1,205/sq mi
Coordinates42.2419°N, 72.1469°W
County FIPS25013
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% 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+25.8%
23% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score6.49
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,205/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries33
Healthcare Facilities1,223
Restaurants907
Retail Stores1,468

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.5 min
Work from Home3.8%

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