The Town Files

25 Small Towns in Massachusetts With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 181 towns of 500–10,000 people in Massachusetts. #1 is Buzzards Bay, MA (0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25North Falmouth, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    North Falmouth is a community of 3,293 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF0 on October 29, 2018.

    3,293 people · Barnstable County · median home $715,300 · income $121,509 · Jan low 22°F · 37 in snow

    Full North Falmouth, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of North Falmouth by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24West Tisbury, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    West Tisbury is a town of 3,555 people in Dukes County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on December 18, 1951.

    3,555 people · Dukes County · median home $1,302,100 · income $182,750 · Jan low 23°F · 25 in snow

    Full West Tisbury, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of West Tisbury by decade1'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Essex, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Essex is a town of 3,675 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F1 on August 10, 1965.

    3,675 people · Essex County · median home $897,400 · income $157,147 · Jan low 18°F · 51 in snow

    Full Essex, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Essex by decade'502'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Forestdale, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Forestdale is a community of 4,116 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F1 on August 9, 1968.

    4,116 people · Barnstable County · median home $490,200 · income $108,158 · Jan low 20°F · 30 in snow

    Full Forestdale, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Forestdale by decade'501'60'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Winchendon, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Winchendon is a community of 4,160 people in Worcester County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on August 9, 1972.

    4,160 people · Worcester County · median home $276,300 · income $55,809 · Jan low 12°F · 51 in snow

    Full Winchendon, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Winchendon by decade'50'601'70'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20The Pinehills, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    The Pinehills is a community of 4,515 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF0 on July 24, 2012.

    4,515 people · Plymouth County · median home $693,100 · income $122,798 · Jan low 20°F · 38 in snow

    Full The Pinehills, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of The Pinehills by decade'50'60'70'801'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Tisbury, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Tisbury is a town of 4,815 people in Dukes County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on December 18, 1951.

    4,815 people · Dukes County · median home $993,600 · income $74,113 · Jan low 23°F · 25 in snow

    Full Tisbury, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Tisbury by decade1'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Oak Bluffs is a town of 5,341 people in Dukes County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on December 18, 1951.

    5,341 people · Dukes County · median home $923,100 · income $145,196 · Jan low 26°F · 25 in snow

    Full Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Oak Bluffs by decade1'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17East Falmouth, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    East Falmouth is a community of 6,278 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F1 on August 9, 1968.

    6,278 people · Barnstable County · median home $593,000 · income $81,464 · Jan low 20°F · 29 in snow

    Full East Falmouth, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of East Falmouth by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Middleborough Center, Massachusetts

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Middleborough Center is a community of 7,921 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on November 18, 1967.

    7,921 people · Plymouth County · median home $424,900 · income $97,616 · Jan low 17°F · 42 in snow

    Full Middleborough Center, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Middleborough Center by decade1'501'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Sandwich, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Sandwich is a community of 2,998 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF0 on August 8, 2023.

    2,998 people · Barnstable County · median home $584,300 · income $117,321 · Jan low 20°F · 37 in snow

    Full Sandwich, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sandwich by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Falmouth, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Falmouth is a community of 3,818 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF0 on October 29, 2018.

    3,818 people · Barnstable County · median home $837,900 · income $68,227 · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full Falmouth, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Falmouth by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Rockport, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Rockport is a community of 5,010 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F1 on August 10, 1965.

    5,010 people · Essex County · median home $748,200 · income $86,250 · Jan low 18°F · 49 in snow

    Full Rockport, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Rockport by decade'501'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Edgartown, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Edgartown, Massachusetts
    Photo: Original uploaded by Rfgagel (Transfered by מתניה) (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Edgartown is a town of 5,168 people in Dukes County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F2 on December 18, 1951.

    5,168 people · Dukes County · median home $1,199,300 · income $125,236 · Jan low 26°F · 25 in snow

    Full Edgartown, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Edgartown by decade1'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Eastham, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Eastham is a town of 5,752 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF1 on July 23, 2019.

    5,752 people · Barnstable County · median home $732,200 · income $72,992 · Jan low 26°F · 24 in snow

    Full Eastham, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Eastham by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Orleans, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Orleans is a town of 6,307 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF1 on July 23, 2019.

    6,307 people · Barnstable County · median home $957,000 · income $102,335 · Jan low 26°F · 25 in snow

    Full Orleans, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Orleans by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Chatham, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Chatham is a town of 6,594 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an EF1 on July 23, 2019.

    6,594 people · Barnstable County · median home $942,800 · income $85,167 · Jan low 25°F · 25 in snow

    Full Chatham, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chatham by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Berkley, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Berkley is a town of 6,764 people in Bristol County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F0 on September 7, 1958.

    6,764 people · Bristol County · median home $511,200 · income $144,205 · Jan low 19°F · 26 in snow

    Full Berkley, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Berkley by decade1'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Rockport, Massachusetts

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Rockport is a town of 6,992 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8); the strongest was an F1 on August 10, 1965.

    6,992 people · Essex County · median home $746,100 · income $96,250 · Jan low 18°F · 50 in snow

    Full Rockport, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Rockport by decade'501'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Monument Beach, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Monument Beach is a community of 2,784 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    2,784 people · Barnstable County · median home $559,900 · income $77,167 · Jan low 22°F · 37 in snow

    Full Monument Beach, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Monument Beach by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Provincetown, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Provincetown is a community of 3,318 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    3,318 people · Barnstable County · median home $959,000 · income $158,125 · Jan low 22°F

    Full Provincetown, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Provincetown by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Wellfleet, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Wellfleet is a town of 3,566 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    3,566 people · Barnstable County · median home $855,300 · income $117,938 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

    Full Wellfleet, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Wellfleet by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Provincetown, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Provincetown is a town of 3,664 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    3,664 people · Barnstable County · median home $902,200 · income $136,904 · Jan low 22°F

    Full Provincetown, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Provincetown by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Sagamore, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sagamore is a community of 3,851 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    3,851 people · Barnstable County · median home $575,700 · income $108,315 · Jan low 20°F · 37 in snow

    Full Sagamore, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sagamore by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Buzzards Bay is a community of 4,279 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Massachusetts town: 8).

    4,279 people · Barnstable County · median home $454,500 · income $94,388 · Jan low 22°F · 37 in snow

    Full Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Buzzards Bay by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Massachusetts rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 181 towns of 500–10,000 people in Massachusetts (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: