East Otis Schoolhouse · National Register of Historic Places
Otis’s story
291 years in pictures
The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1858.
2 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1735Otis is settled
Photo: ToddC4176 (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
1,610
2025 Census estimate · −1.5% since 2020
Typical home
$531K
+3.8% in a year
Household income
$109K
median
Median age
51.0
years
Jobs based here
348
A commuter town
Is Otis a good place to live?
The best of Otis’ subject grades are an A− for incomes and safety and an A for history. On cost of living, just 20 of Massachusetts’ 324 towns do better. 36% of the land in Otis is conserved, against 19% in Massachusetts’ towns and 4.3% across U.S. towns. Only 13 of Massachusetts’ 325 towns score lower on the outdoors. The biggest park or preserve is Otis State Forest, at 2,590 acres. Otis has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Otis stand out
Where Otis beats most towns.
East Otis SchoolhouseHistoryA
Settled in 1735
2 places on the National Register
A history going back 291 years.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Otis0
Massachusetts3
U.S.3.3
SafetyA−
No violent crime reported in 2025
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
OutdoorsA−
35.5% conserved land
Biggest place to walk: Otis State Forest, 0.4 mi of trail.
How Otis grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Massachusetts), ordered by how far Otis is from typical.
Jobs & incomeA−Open →SafetyA−Open →HealthFairview Hospital 14.7 miles awayB+Open →SchoolsBOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listC+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6 of 20; 0.9% of households have no car; 2.6% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors5 miles of trailsA−Open →History2 places on the National Register; 2 notable people born hereAOpen →Civic life3.2 library visits per resident; 6.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 140 attractions →Springfield Armory National Historic Site and 76 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Otis. Close and well known come first.
26 mi National Historic SiteSpringfield Armory National Historic Site14K visitors a year
30 mi MountainMount Greylock
15 mi TheatreTanglewood
27 mi Theme parkSix Flags New England
14 mi MuseumNorman Rockwell Museum
37 mi Stadium & arenaPeoplesBank ArenaSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Springfield Armory National Historic Site: National Park Service, Public domain · Mount Greylock: Jstergis, CC BY 3.0 · Tanglewood: Daderot., CC BY-SA 3.0 · Six Flags New England: Canadaolympic989, Public domain · Norman Rockwell Museum: User:Rmrfstar, CC BY 2.5 · PeoplesBank Arena: PeoplesBank Arena, CC BY 2.5
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Otis: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Otis, and how to reach them.
PowerEversource21.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBartows Mobile Home ParkNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTransfer Station (Compactor Station)Drop-offTown site
SchoolsFarmington River Region School DistrictLee/Berkshire Hills in Farmington River Region (7-12)2 districts serve Otis; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Massachusetts you can register online until 10 days before Election Day, in person until 10 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 10 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereOtis Town ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP codes01253, 01029, 01008, 0124501253 49% · 01029 44% · 01008 4% · 01245 3%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Otis.
OutdoorsA−
Conserved land covers nearly a third of Otis
4.7 miles of trail in 11 parks and preserves. At 0.1 miles per square mile, Otis’ trail density is where Massachusetts’ towns sit at 1.8 and U.S. towns at 0.4.
35.5%conserved
35.5%
conserved · 8,590 of 24,217 acres
4.7 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Otis State Forest | 0.4 mi | 2,590 |
| 2. Old Baldy Wildlife Sanctuary | 0.3 mi | 151 |
| 3. Farmington River Wildlife Management Area | — | 1,678 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB
Otis’ public schools outperform 61% of Massachusetts districts
Its public schools are run by the Farmington River Regional school district. Its one school is below.
61%of MA districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington River ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–6 | Grades PK–6 | 124 | C+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MA on state tests
SafetyA−
Compared with most of Massachusetts and the rest of the country, violent crime in Otis is lower
Otis’ violent crime rate is 0 per 1,000 residents. Otis reports less crime per resident than 79% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade. Otis’ property crime rate is 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
79%of U.S. towns report more crimeA−Safety Grade
| Otis | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 3.1 per 1,000 residents | 4.9 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Otis0
Massachusetts3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Otis3.1
Massachusetts10.4
U.S.15.5
79th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
0
violent crimes reported in 2025
5
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
A smaller share of residents in Otis live below the poverty line than in the typical Massachusetts or U.S. town
1.2% of residents live below the poverty line in Otis. Since 2013, Otis has added 110 jobs, to 348 in 2023. The median household income in Otis is $109,000.
10%work in town
| Otis | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 34 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 1.2% | 6% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $109,000 | $120,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 10% | 9.8% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Otis10%
Great Barrington8%
Pittsfield7%
Sandisfield6%
Lee5%
20 mi
median commute distance
348
jobs based in Otis
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 49% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthB+
Otis ranks healthier than 73% of the country’s towns
Otis beats the Massachusetts average on 7 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 7. 83% of Otis adults had a checkup this year.
73%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Otis | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 83% | 82% | 79% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 17% | 16% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 28% | 35% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 12% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Massachusetts
7 better18 too close to call7 worse
| What stands out | Otis | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 7.9% | 11.1% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 9.2% | 12.4% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 11.9% | 8.5% |
Fairview Hospital
14.7 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Who lives here
Older than Massachusetts overall
People 65 and older are 28% of residents (18% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 18% of residents (24% statewide). 39% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 47% across Massachusetts.
51median age · MA 40
| Otis | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 28% | 19% | 18% |
| Median age | 51 years | 43.4 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 15% | 20% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 39% | 47% | 29% |
OtisMassachusettsUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma4%
High school28%
Some college19%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s22%
Graduate18%
Women and men · all residents
43% women, 57% men
About 134 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±4.7 points). Across Massachusetts, 51.1% of residents are women.
| Otis | MA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 7.2% | 10.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 7.9% | 9.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 2% | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 15.6% | 14% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 9.1% | 13% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 16.4% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.8% | 13.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 16.2% | 10.5% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 11.8% | 7.4% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4.4% | 8.6% | 10.4% |
| High school | 28.3% | 22.6% | 26% |
| Some college | 19.2% | 14.1% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9% | 7.5% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 21.5% | 25.5% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 17.7% | 21.8% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 1,600, single groups can be off by several points
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Otis
Otis has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain. July afternoons reach 80°, January nights drop to 13° and about 77 inches of snow falls in a winter.
77″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–34°
Spring33–55°
Summer55–77°
Fall39–58°
Oct 2
typical first frost
May 13
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C+
The typical home in Otis is valued at about $531K
The typical Otis home is worth about $531,000, up 3.8% in a year, 19% below the Massachusetts typical home.
$531KZillow home value
Typical home value
Otis$531K
Massachusetts$655K
+3.8%
value change, 1 year
1
homes sold in April
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C+
Inland flooding leads a moderate hazard risk in Otis
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 53% of U.S. communities. Since 2005, 3 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Otis.
53risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingHurricanesCold waves
3
paid flood claims since 2005
10
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Otis
20pages on Otis
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 61% of MA districts · 1 schoolSafetyA−0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB+Better than MA on 7 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$531K typical home · up 3.8% in a yearWork & commuteA−$109K median household income · 348 jobs hereNatural hazardsC+FEMA risk higher than 53% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Otis; the nearest are
Bard College at Simon's RockUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Great Barrington15.1 mi$68,780 tuitionWestfield State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Westfield15.6 mi$12,179 in-state tuitionBerkshire Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Pittsfield21.2 mi$6,164 in-state tuition
About 3 of every 100 Otis residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across Massachusetts.
A commuter town
90% of working residents leave Otis for work
Where Otis’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
348jobs based in Otis
10%of working residents work in town
20 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Landmarks
2 places in Otis on the National Register of Historic Places.
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About Otis
Town in Massachusetts, United States
Otis is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,634 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1735
- Area
- 38 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,220 ft
- ZIP code
- 01253
- Area code
- 413
Otis’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Otis.
BecketTollandSandisfieldTyringhamMontereyOtis
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otis | — | — | C+ | A− | B | B+ |
| Becket | — | — | D | B+ | B− | A− |
| Tolland | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sandisfield | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tyringham | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Monterey | — | — | C− | — | C | A |
Otis, Becket and Monterey have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Monterey reports no FBI crime data of its own. Tolland, Sandisfield and Tyringham aren’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Otis with a neighbor →
Questions about Otis
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Otis, MA a good place to live?
Home to 2 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Otis, MA expensive?
That is 7 years of the area's median household income ($76,013 across the Pittsfield, MA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.
What is Otis, MA known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Alexander Viets Griswold Allen and Henry O. Marcy.