Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 15 min5:13 am – 8:28 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 7 min7:13 am – 4:20 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,747 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 41.9699 householdsMedian household income $86,979Median home value $296,800Median rent $1,090 a month89% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $4,619 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.0% unemployment rate65% of adults are in the labour force, 853 employedMain industries: education and health care 23%, construction 16%, manufacturing 13%Average commute 35 minutes76% drive alone, 8% car-pool, 1% take public transport, 13% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages23% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher91% finished high school, 11% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 81°F, lows 59°FColdest month January: highs 34°F, lows 14°F50 in of rain a yearwettest month October64 in of snow a year, on about 25 days5 days above 90°F, 152 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Staffordville station, 5 mi away; snow from E Brimfield Lake
Nearby landmarksLake Georgelake · under a mileMount Pisgahpeak · 1.2 miMount Hitchcockpeak · 2.1 miNorcross Pondsreservoir · 1.8 miVinica Pondlake · 1.0 miConant Brook Reservoirreservoir · 2.8 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsOld Baptist Cemeteryhistoric site · under a mileWales Cemetery #1historic site · under a mileWales Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · under a mile · 205 acresBigelow Hollow State Parkstate park · 5.5 miLeadmine Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.5 mi · 646 acresMashapaug Pondstate recreation area · 5.7 mi · 295 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.7 on 2 Oct 199420 mi away, near Hardwick, MassachusettsMost recent: magnitude 3.3 on 12 Jan 201528 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively ModerateHampden County, MA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsRiver flooding Relatively HighIce storm Relatively HighHurricane Relatively HighStrong wind Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality77% of days had good air in 2025281 of 365 days measured79 moderate, 5 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 39, worst day 124main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Hampden County monitors, MA
Internet at home94% of households have a broadband subscription84% have cable, fibre or DSL8% rely on a mobile data plan alone2% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterBrookside Villageserves 80 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the ZIP area
Elevation1,099 ft335 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalBaystate Wing Hospital9.3 miPost officeWales Post Officeunder a mileTown hallWales Town Hall1.1 miPoliceWales Police Department1.1 miFire stationWales Fire Department1.7 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 elementaryElementaryWales Elementary Schoolunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportWorcester Regional Airport ORH23 miMajor airportBradley International Airport BDL25 miInterstateI-845.1 miUS highwayUS 203.7 miAmtrakSpringfield, MA SPG19 miCoachSturbridge New England Truck StopGreyhound9.6 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 01081 ZIP area.
