Compare towns
Acton vs Ashfield vs Plainfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Ashfield has the oldest population (median age 58.6).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Acton | Ashfield | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 24,155Highest |
1,893 |
616Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-2.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±0.8Lowest 11% above MA |
58.6±3.4Highest 47% above MA |
50.6±9.5 27% above MA |
| Ashfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±2.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
12.4%±3.6Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Acton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.6%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
33.7%±2.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
29.5%±7.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Ashfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 79.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
52%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
52.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.2 MA: 7.9% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Plainfield and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $158,230±$14kHighest 52% above MA |
$80,833±$16k 22% below MA |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $807,300±$20kHighest 44% above MA |
$400,600±$30k 29% below MA |
$309,000±$47kLowest 45% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,986±$155Highest 13% above MA |
$1,100±$200Lowest 38% below MA |
$1,292±$558 27% below MA |
| Acton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$5,197 13% below MA |
$4,458Lowest 26% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.7%±11.3 MA: 51.8% |
62.5%±34Highest MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Ashfield and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
9.1% MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.5% MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 19% above MA |
30 minLowest about the MA average |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
| Work from home | 35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
24%±6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Acton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #13 of 282 in MA | — | — |
| School district | Acton-Boxborough | Mohawk Trail | — |
| High school in town | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.5 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.