Berkshire County, MA

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Population

127,751

0.632% decline

Median Age

46.5


Median Household Income

$55,190

5.62% growth

Poverty Rate

11.3%


Number of Employees

63,947

0.987% growth

Median Property Value

$203,300

0.441% decline

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Berkshire County, MA had a population of 128k people with a median age of 46.5 and a median household income of $55,190. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Berkshire County, MA declined from 128,563 to 127,751, a -0.632% decrease and its median household income grew from $52,253 to $55,190, a 5.62% increase.

The population of Berkshire County, MA is 89% White Alone, 4.27% Hispanic or Latino, and 2.57% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Berkshire County, MA speak a non-English language, and 97.2% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Berkshire County, MA are Williams College (796 degrees awarded in 2017), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (427 degrees), and Berkshire Community College (310 degrees).

The median property value in Berkshire County, MA is $203,300, and the homeownership rate is 69%. Most people in Berkshire County, MA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 18.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Berkshire County, MA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: View from Bash Bish Falls

Photo by David Sunshine

United StatesMassachusettsPittsfield, MA

Economy

The economy of Berkshire County, MA employs 63.9k people. The largest industries in Berkshire County, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,505 people), Educational Services (8,596 people), and Retail Trade (7,784 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($68,500), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($60,962), and Public Administration ($51,942).

Median household income in Berkshire County, MA is $55,190. Males in Berkshire County, MA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,850. The income inequality in Berkshire County, MA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.485, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$55,190

2017 value

± $1,350

5.62%

1 Year Growth

± 3.42%

Households in Berkshire County, MA have a median annual income of $55,190, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,253 in 2016, which represents a 5.62% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Berkshire County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

$84,043

Average Male Salary

± $1,786

$62,850

Average Female Salary

± $1,306

In 2017, full-time male employees in Massachusetts made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Massachusetts by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $68,516 ± $4,051

  2. White

    $64,668 ± $1,113

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $49,586 ± $39,015

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Massachusetts workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.06 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Massachusetts by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Berkshire County, MA is from Massachusetts.

0.485

2017 Wage GINI

0.485

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Massachusetts was 0.485 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0457% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Massachusetts was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Massachusetts in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Massachusetts across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9351

  2. Census Tract 9008

  3. Census Tract 9005

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Berkshire County, MA was Census Tract 9351 with a value of $84,306, followed by Census Tract 9008 and Census Tract 9005, with respective values of $81,016 and $79,669.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Berkshire County, MA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Berkshire County, MA (13.8k out of 121k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    11,080 ± 709

  2. Hispanic

    1,247 ± 228

  3. Black

    1,082 ± 327

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Berkshire County, MA is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

63.9k

2017 Value

± 1,614

0.987%

1 Year growth

± 3.46%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berkshire County, MA grew at a rate of 0.987%, from 63.3k employees to 63.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Berkshire County, MA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,535 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,182 people), and Management Occupations (6,064 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Berkshire County, MA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Berkshire County, MA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,535 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,182 people), and Management Occupations (6,064 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkshire County, MA has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.48 times higher than expected), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1.38 times), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.3 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Berkshire County, MA, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($71,339), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($71,299), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($69,607).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

63.9k

2017 Value

± 1,614

0.987%

1 Year growth

± 3.46%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Berkshire County, MA grew at a rate of 0.987%, from 63.3k employees to 63.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Berkshire County, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,505 people), Educational Services (8,596 people), and Retail Trade (7,784 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Berkshire County, MA, though some of these residents may live in Berkshire County, MA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Berkshire County, MA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (11,505 people), Educational Services (8,596 people), and Retail Trade (7,784 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Berkshire County, MA has an unusually high number of Educational Services (1.45 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.44 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.3 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Berkshire County, MA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($68,500), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($60,962), and Public Administration ($51,942).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Gasoline

    $30.9B

  2. Mixed freight

    $29.2B

  3. Electronics

    $27.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $30.9B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.2B) and Electronics ($27.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Massachusetts products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Massachusetts state.

$260B

2020 Value

$364B

Projected 2045 Value

40% growth

In 2020, total outbound Massachusetts trade was $260B. This is expected to increase 40% to $364B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Massachusetts trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Massachusetts to other states, or from other states to Massachusetts.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. New York

    $14.6B

  2. Connecticut

    $13.9B

  3. New Hampshire

    $13.9B

In 2015, the top outbound Massachusetts domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $14.6B, followed by Connecticut with $13.9B and New Hampshire and $13.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Massachusetts shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

97.1% of the population of Berkshire County, MA has health coverage, with 46.3% on employee plans, 20.8% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 14.5% on non-group plans, and 0.784% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Berkshire County, MA was $10,559 in 2014. This is a 2.78% increase from the previous year ($10,273).

Primary care physicians in Berkshire County, MA see 888 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.37% decrease from the previous year (919 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1186 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 131 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.4%). Additionally, Bristol County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (29.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

888 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Berkshire County, MA see an average of 888 patients per year. This represents a 3.37% decrease from the previous year (919 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Berkshire County, MA in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Massachusetts.

$10,559

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$5,302

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,922

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,899

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Massachusetts (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 2.78%, from $10,273 to $10,559.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

2.9%

Uninsured

46.3%

Employer Coverage

20.8%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

14.5%

Non-Group

0.784%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Berkshire County, MA declined by 4.6% from 3.04% to 2.9%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Berkshire County, MA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Bristol County

    11.4% prevalence

  2. Hampden County

    11.1% prevalence

  3. Plymouth County

    10.8% prevalence

Bristol County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts, at 11.4%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Massachusetts by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Berkshire County, MA is home to a population of 128k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2017, 5.99% of Berkshire County, MA residents were born outside of the country (7.65k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Berkshire County, MA is composed of 114k White Alone residents (89%), 5.46k Hispanic or Latino residents (4.27%), 3.28k Black or African American Alone residents (2.57%), 2.62k Two or More Races residents (2.05%), 2.09k Asian Alone residents (1.63%), 323 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.253%), 253 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.198%), and 42 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0329%).

Age

Age by Nativity

47

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

45

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.5

In 2017, the median age of all people in Berkshire County, MA was 46.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 47, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Berkshire County, MA are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Berkshire County, MA residents was 46.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.99%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

7.65k people

5.84%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

7.5k people

As of 2017, 5.99% of Berkshire County, MA residents (7.65k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Berkshire County, MA was 5.84%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Berkshire County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Massachusetts.

Most Common Origin

  1. China

    88,014 ± 7,236 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    84,884 ± 7,108 people

  3. Brazil

    66,506 ± 6,300 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Massachusetts was China, the natal country of 88,014 Massachusetts residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 84,884 and Brazil with 66,506.

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Citizenship

97.2%

2017 Citizenship

97.4%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 97.2% of Berkshire County, MA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Berkshire County, MA was 97.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Berkshire County, MA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    114k ± 360

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    5.46k ± 646

  3. Black or African American Alone

    3.28k ± 320

In 2017, there were 20.8 times more White Alone residents (114k people) in Berkshire County, MA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.46k Hispanic or Latino and 3.28k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Berkshire County, MA as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    3,571 ± 293

  2. Korea

    1,058 ± 156

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    922 ± 272

Berkshire County, MA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.38 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Berkshire County, MA awarded 1,854 degrees. The student population of Berkshire County, MA is skewed towards women, with 2,634 male students and 3,621 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Berkshire County, MA are White (1,236 and 71.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (129 and 7.46%), Asian (119 and 6.88%), and Black or African American (119 and 6.88%).

The largest universities in Berkshire County, MA by number of degrees awarded are Williams College (796 and 42.9%), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (427 and 23%), and Berkshire Community College (310 and 16.7%).

The most popular majors in Berkshire County, MA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (167 and 9.01%), General English Language & Literature (106 and 5.72%), and General Psychology (105 and 5.66%).

The median tuition costs in Berkshire County, MA are $52,679 for private four year colleges, and $1,030 and $9,975 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Psychology

    105 degrees awarded

  2. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics

    104 degrees awarded

  3. General English Language & Literature

    106 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Berkshire County, MA was General Psychology with 105 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Berkshire County, MA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Williams College

    796 degrees awarded

  2. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

    427 degrees awarded

  3. Berkshire Community College

    310 degrees awarded

$1,030

Median In-State Public

$52,679

Median Private

In 2017, the Berkshire County, MA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Williams College with 796 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

733

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,121

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 733 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Berkshire County, MA, which is 0.654 times less than the 1,121 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Berkshire County, MA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    1,236 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    129 degrees awarded

  3. Asian

    119 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Berkshire County, MA were to White students. These 1,236 degrees mean that there were 9.58 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 129 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Berkshire County, MA was $203,300 in 2017, which is 0.885 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $204,200 to $203,300, a 0.441% decrease. The homeownership rate in Berkshire County, MA is 69%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Berkshire County, MA have an average commute time of 18.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Berkshire County, MA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$203,300

2017 Median

± $5,036

$204,200

2016 Median

± $5,411

In 2017, the median property value in Berkshire County, MA declined from to $203,300 from the previous year's value of $204,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Berkshire County, MA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berkshire County, MA the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$55,190

Median Household Income

± $1,350

55.1k

Number of Households

± 1,451

In 2017, the median household income of the 55.1k households in Berkshire County, MA grew to $55,190 from the previous year's value of $52,253.

The following chart displays the households in Berkshire County, MA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Berkshire County, MA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Berkshire County, MA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

69%

2017 Homeownership

68.4%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 69% of the housing units in Berkshire County, MA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Berkshire County, MA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

18.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Berkshire County, MA have a shorter commute time (18.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.95% of the workforce in Berkshire County, MA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Berkshire County, MA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    77.8%

  2. Carpooled

    7.89%

  3. Walked

    5.96%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Berkshire County, MA was Drove Alone (77.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.89%) and those who Walked (5.96%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Berkshire County, MA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Berkshire County, MA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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