PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Berkshire Leadership Impact Council, has released the Berkshire Benchmarks 2022 State of the County Report. 

 

This report summarizes data and trends that help identify the region's successes and challenges.

 

Throughout the last two years, more than 100 individuals and community organizations from throughout Berkshire County have worked to identify indicators to track how the region is performing across eight sectors: Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Social Environment, and Transportation. 

 

A revamped BerkshireBenchmarks.org website highlights these indicators.

 

This report demonstrates that the region has seen successes over the last few years. These successes include an increase in income, a decrease in poverty and unemployment, a healthier environment, and increased stability of the young adult population, according to a press release. 

 

Yet the region also faces challenges, BRPC stated in a press release. Children struggled academically during the pandemic. Housing is getting less affordable to many low and middle-income residents. Behavioral health challenges are getting worse, and there is an increase in reports of families in distress. Many of the indicators show disparities in the county when looking at the data by race and ethnicity. 

 

"The 2022 State of the County Report shows areas in which the region has made strides to improve, such as the retention of the young adult population," said BRPC Data Manager Mark Maloy, "but the report also shows areas that need improvement, such as housing affordability. By working together for the common good, we can address many of the challenges we face in Berkshire County."

 

The State of the County Report 2022 is available online at BerkshireBenchmarks.org.