1st Advantage MortgageThe median Berkshire County household earns $76,013, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Berkshire County at a glance
- What Berkshire County households earn
- Renting and owning in Berkshire County
- How Berkshire County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Berkshire County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Berkshire County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Berkshire County
- What a median Berkshire County budget can carry
- Licensing and complaints for Berkshire County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Berkshire County at a glance
With an estimated 129,430 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Berkshire County ranks 11th of 14 in Massachusetts for population. Packed into 927 square miles, that is close to 140 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Pittsfield, MA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 34 places in the county (26 incorporated, 8 census-designated); the largest is Pittsfield, with about 43,457 residents, or 34% of the county.
What Berkshire County households earn
Half of Berkshire County households take in less than $76,013 a year and half take in more, 27% below the Massachusetts median of $103,960. Only 11 Massachusetts counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Berkshire County | Difference from Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.6% | +8.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.4% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.2% | -10.1 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.4% of Berkshire County residents in poverty, against 10.0% across Massachusetts. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.494 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $76,013 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Berkshire County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,097 in Berkshire County versus $1,762 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $305,400, about 4.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 70%.
| Measure | Berkshire County | Massachusetts | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,097/mo | $1,762/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $305,400 | $562,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% | 0.8% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 8% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Berkshire County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 33% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Education and health care stands out: 33% of workers here, versus 28% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.4% in Berkshire County. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 14% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Berkshire County workers | vs Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.7% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.3% | -5.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Other services | 6.2% | +1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Berkshire County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 34 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 84% of Berkshire County residents live in one of the 34. Monterey has the highest median household income on the list ($152,353) and North Adams the lowest ($47,500), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Cheshire ($647) and steepest in New Marlborough ($2,750). No Berkshire County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 34.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | city | 43,457 | $70,582 | $1,134 | 6 mi |
| North Adams | city | 12,606 | $47,500 | $793 | 22 mi |
| Dalton | town | 6,256 | $79,438 | $872 | 8 mi |
| Adams | CDP | 5,427 | $48,775 | $927 | 19 mi |
| Williamstown | CDP | 5,070 | $97,917 | $1,424 | 23 mi |
| Sheffield | town | 3,330 | $92,120 | $1,837 | 20 mi |
| Lanesborough | town | 3,028 | $86,219 | $1,349 | 11 mi |
| Great Barrington | CDP | 2,331 | $64,506 | $1,188 | 14 mi |
| Stockbridge | town | 2,056 | $146,250 | $858 | 7 mi |
| Becket | town | 1,962 | $80,417 | $2,107 | 9 mi |
| Lenox | CDP | 1,866 | $61,335 | $854 | 4 mi |
| Hinsdale | town | 1,859 | $77,845 | $1,109 | 7 mi |
| Clarksburg | town | 1,667 | $77,143 | $1,125 | 25 mi |
| Otis | town | 1,624 | $108,898 | $1,318 | 13 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 36 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Berkshire County; Northwest Hills Planning Region is highest at $93,551 and Hampden County lowest at $71,306. The list crosses into Connecticut, New York, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire County | - | $76,013 | $1,097/mo | 70% |
| Columbia County, NY | 23 mi | $81,528 | $1,260/mo | 76% |
| Rensselaer County, NY | 28 mi | $87,915 | $1,217/mo | 65% |
| Hampshire County, MA | 28 mi | $87,001 | $1,388/mo | 68% |
| Hampden County, MA | 34 mi | $71,306 | $1,136/mo | 62% |
| Franklin County, MA | 35 mi | $74,907 | $1,177/mo | 70% |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT | 36 mi | $93,551 | $1,193/mo | 76% |
More Berkshire County figures
College graduates make up 40% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 1.7%, against 2.6% for Massachusetts.
| Indicator | Berkshire County | All of Massachusetts | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.3 | 40.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.0% | 47.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 8.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 1.7% | 2.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.6% | 11.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.2% | 18.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 5.2% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Berkshire County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Berkshire County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Berkshire County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Rent squeeze. 54% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Berkshire County borrower sees (free reports).
What a median Berkshire County budget can carry
Here is the Berkshire County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,334 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,097)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,183 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Berkshire County's.
Licensing and complaints for Berkshire County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Berkshire County, check the Massachusetts Division of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Massachusetts: Massachusetts personal loans.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Berkshire County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Berkshire County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Massachusetts guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Berkshire County earn?
The median is $76,013; 38% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Berkshire County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,097 against $1,762 statewide, and 54% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Berkshire County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 34 Census places: Pittsfield, North Adams, Dalton, Adams, Williamstown.
Can Berkshire County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Massachusetts county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Berkshire County?
Start with the Massachusetts Division of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.