Noted for its deep agricultural soils, much of Sheffield remains open and in agricultural production. The combination of wide open river valley, mountain vistas and active farmland, residents feel, makes Sheffield one of the most beautiful towns in the Commonwealth, with the fall being an especially attractive time of year. Sheffield is the largest member of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, which has recently completed construction in Sheffield of a new $25 million state-of-the-art school complex housing elementary, middle, and high school grades. Mt. Everett Regional School, the high school component, is nationally recognized for its innovative schedule and programs.

Located on U.S. Route 7, Sheffield is approximately one hour from Hartford, Springfield and Albany, and two and one-half hours from Boston and New York City. As a consequence of Sheffield's location in the Southern Berkshires, there is easy access to a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities, including ski areas, state parks and forests, and summer theater and music events.

Sheffield Massachusetts is located in Southwestern Massachusetts, bordered by Great Barrington on the north; New Marlborough on the east; Salisbury and North Canaan, Connecticut, on the south; and Egremont and Mt. Washington on the west. Sheffield is 33 miles south of Pittsfield, 40 miles west of Springfield, 130 miles southwest of Boston.