What stands out worked out from the figures below

Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).

Hardwick has the most kids (20.5% under 18).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Acton	Hardwick
People
Population	2,721Highest	2,684Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+9.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-10.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	52.9±4.2Highest 36% above U.S.	45.3±9.8Lowest 16% above U.S.
	Acton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22%	20.5%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22%
	Hardwick and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	26.2%±4.9Highest U.S.: 17.2%	22.7%±5Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	Acton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	30.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	6.2%±4.4Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Hardwick and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$78,750±$15kHighest about the U.S. average	$75,000±$22kLowest 7% below U.S.
	Acton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$334,300±$34kLowest about the U.S. average	$346,700±$67kHighest 4% above U.S.
	Hardwick and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$1,108±$119 22% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$2,680Lowest 14% below U.S.	$4,400Highest 41% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1%	59%±13.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Acton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%	11%Highest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2%	68.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1974Highest 6 yrs older than U.S.	1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	40 minHighest 53% above U.S.	31 minLowest 18% above U.S.
Work from home	18.2%±8.5Highest U.S.: 15.1%	8.7%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Acton and Hardwick 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	#43 of 133 in ME	#163 of 282 in MA
School district	Acton Public Schools	Quabbin
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

U.S. 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.