Compare towns
Ashburnham vs Mason vs Ashby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashburnham has the youngest population (median age 40.7).
Mason has the most kids (28.8% under 18).
Ashby has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
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 | Ashburnham | Mason | Ashby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,415Highest |
1,451Lowest |
3,211 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.7±6.3Lowest 5% above U.S. |
43.7±2.3 12% above U.S. |
50.5±3Highest 30% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 22.6%±6 U.S.: 22% |
28.8%±6.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
17%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Mason and Ashburnham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.1%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
15.6%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.5%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ashby and Ashburnham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
43.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±2.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Ashburnham and Ashby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $118,809±$11kHighest 47% above U.S. |
$111,090±$3kLowest 38% above U.S. |
$115,598±$9k 43% above U.S. |
| Ashburnham and Ashby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,700±$34kHighest 17% above U.S. |
$384,000±$21kLowest 15% above U.S. |
$390,500±$30k 17% above U.S. |
| Ashburnham and Ashby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,807±$1k 28% above U.S. |
$2,530±$852Highest 79% above U.S. |
$1,200±$484Lowest 15% below U.S. |
| Mason and Ashburnham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,046 94% above U.S. |
$7,049Highest 126% above U.S. |
$6,034Lowest 93% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
87.2%±42.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
36.4%±53.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Ashburnham and Mason are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1970Lowest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 21% above U.S. |
41 minHighest 55% above U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 16%±7.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.7%±4.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.8%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Mason and Ashby 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 | #178 of 282 in MA | — | #200 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Ashburnham-Westminster | Mason School District | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.