RANK #861 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 12 MA · POP 129,430
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Berkshire County, Massachusetts, is known for its scenic beauty and cultural attractions, with towns like Stockbridge often cited as quintessential New England. Located in western Massachusetts, approximately 120 miles west of Boston and 140 miles northeast of New York City, the county offers a blend of rural charm and cultural sophistication. The Appalachian Trail traverses the county, including Mount Greylock, the state's highest peak, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and water activities on its lakes and rivers. The average commute time in Berkshire County is around 20 minutes.
Life in Berkshire County often appeals to those seeking a slower pace amidst natural surroundings, with access to cultural amenities. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare and education, with institutions like Berkshire Medical Center and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and optics technology, aiming to create new job opportunities and foster partnerships with regional universities. The county also sees ongoing efforts in digital equity and infrastructure improvements. Public transportation, including regional bus services, is available, though ride-share options can be limited.
Berkshire County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.8% YoY, population +1.1%, wages +8.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Berkshire County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery Storage Project (290 MW)
Undisclosed (part of ISO-NE interconnection queue)
|
$290M | Planned |
|
Pittsfield Capital Improvement Program FY2022-FY2026
City of Pittsfield
|
$221M | Under Construction |
|
Battery Storage Project (136 MW)
Undisclosed (part of ISO-NE interconnection queue)
|
$136M | Planned |
|
Mill Town Capital Investments (Real Estate, Businesses, Infrastructure)
Mill Town Capital
|
$132M | Completed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Harbor Road Solar 1, NuGen Capital Management)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Luxury Housing Developments (Multiple Projects)
Hawkeye Developers & Builders and others
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Berkshire County scores just 13/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #861 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.2% and median household income of $76,013 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Berkshire County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $305,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,097/month on average.
Berkshire County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.2%). Home values shifted +1.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.42% of Berkshire County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.