Berkshire Benchmarks Releases State of the County Update

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Benchmarks data team recently released a State of the County Update for 2023. 
 
This brief report builds on the Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County Report published in May 2022 and highlights notable changes in regional indicators over the past year. The berkshirebenchmarks.org website has also been updated to reflect the most current available data. 
 
The purpose of the Benchmarks initiative and report is to highlight the region's successes and challenges.
 
The 2022 Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County report provided a comprehensive overview of our region's performance across eight sectors: Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Social Environment, and Transportation.  
 
In the future, the Berkshire Benchmarks team will continue to monitor these and other indicators to aid with the regional understanding of changes in these sectors and whether the work happening throughout the region is having the intended impact. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks is a collaborative initiative managed through Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). Our sources are publicly available data, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Community Survey, various Massachusetts data sets, and periodic surveys of Berkshire County residents. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks aims to work with the community to understand priorities and help inform the region on how we are doing and if we are improving. Berkshire Benchmarks enhances the region's access to quality data and analysis. 

Tags: BRPC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Weekend Outlook: Barn Birthday, Musical Nights

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this week including musical nights, turtles, and more.

Editor's Pick

Round Stone Barn Birthday
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Time: Sunday, 10 to 5

Free community day to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the village's iconic Round Stone Barn. Live music, special performances, food trucks, ice cream, discovery tours, and other kid-friendly activities. Cupcakes served at 2; first come, first served. 
 
More information here.https://tinyl.co/4lgy

Meet the Turtles with Berkshire County Turtle Rescue
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Meet live rescued turtles with wildlife rehabilitator Tracy Zustra, founder of Berkshire County Turtle Rescue, and learn more about turtles in Berkshire County and how to care for pet turtles.  Then make your own turtle crossing signs.

More information here.

Multiple Days

'The Legend of Georgia McBride'
Colonial Theater, Pittsfield
July 31 through Aug. 16

The musical comedy features drag performances with musical numbers from Elvis Presley and Bette Midler to Édith Piaf, Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton. 

More information and tickets here.

Friday 

Misty Blues 2026
Adams Theater
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Misty Blues is returning to Adams with their 18th album and celebrating their 25th year of performing  blues, vintage jazz, and deep-pocket funk.

More information and tickets here.

Beaver Detectives
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Learn and investigate the way beavers live and try and find them as you walk the sanctuary's trails.

Register in advance; tickets are $12 and $15. More information here.

Children's Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The library is hosting a number of programs including Dungeons and Dragons, take-home crafts, switch and play, and an escape game. 

More information here.

Friday Karaoke
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 p.m.

More information here.

Saturday

Fire on the Mountain Jam

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories