City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

West Brookfield, MA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for West Brookfield - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,518
Residents
$59,734
Median income
$282,900
Median home
$1,749
Median rent (state)

West Brookfield - the verdict

Nationally, West Brookfield sits in the 35th percentile for household income and the 92nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
92nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: West Brookfield, MA

1,518 people live in West Brookfield, Massachusetts - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in West Brookfield brings in $59,734 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.5%. Typical homes in West Brookfield are valued around $282,900, and the median resident age is 58.7 years. About 25.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 42.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

West Brookfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 331.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Massachusetts at 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,749 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $330 across Massachusetts, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

1,518 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Massachusetts

Median Household Income

$59,734 /yr

Poverty 16.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

How does West Brookfield compare to other US cities?

Where West Brookfield sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 92% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Massachusetts alone, West Brookfield ranks #18 of 149 Massachusetts cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below West Brookfield's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Massachusetts, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
92ndSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 92nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Brookfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Brookfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 54 Avg. percentile National median
West Brookfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How West Brookfield's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$282,900 38th percentile more affordable than 38% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. West Brookfield $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - West Brookfield, MA West Brookfield, MA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Brookfield, MA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution West Brookfield, MA median $59,734/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
West Brookfield, MA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for West Brookfield, MA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,518
Median Income
$59,734
Median Home Value
$282,900
Median Age
58.7
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Labor force participation
42.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
331.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
127.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
203.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.3%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
3.8%
Other
4.9%

Based on 504 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Massachusetts - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$160
avg/month
Natural Gas
$110
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$330
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Massachusetts state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Massachusetts state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county West Brookfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.8
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,749/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Massachusetts

Lee
1,522 people
Onset
1,561 people
Groton
1,571 people
Rowley
1,576 people
Chatham
1,614 people
Orleans
1,618 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Brookfield's 1,518 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Medicine Lodge, KS
1,518 people
Arnaudville, LA
1,518 people
Dunsmuir, CA
1,519 people
Williamsville, IL
1,519 people
Cecilia, LA
1,517 people
Glendale, MS
1,519 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Brookfield's $59,734 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Chino Valley, AZ
$59,733 median income
Virgil, NY
$59,735 median income
Westville, IN
$59,732 median income
Crugers, NY
$59,737 median income
Spearfish, SD
$59,731 median income
Jackson Center, OH
$59,728 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Brookfield, MA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition West Brookfield, MA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 99.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 99.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How West Brookfield compares to nearby Massachusetts cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
West Brookfield (this city) 1,518 $59,734
Lee 1,522 $70,306
Onset 1,561 N/A
Groton 1,571 N/A
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MA FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Brookfield, MA?

What is the population of West Brookfield, MA? +

West Brookfield, MA counts 1,518 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Brookfield, MA? +

West Brookfield households earn a median of $59,734 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Brookfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Brookfield; the closest available measure is the Massachusetts state average, a cost of living index of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Is West Brookfield, MA safe? +

West Brookfield has a total crime rate of 331.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in West Brookfield, MA? +

The median home value in West Brookfield is $282,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.