Compare towns
Ashby vs Epping vs Pepperell vs Ashburnham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashby has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Pepperell has the most expensive homes ($482k median).
Ashburnham has the most kids (22.6% 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.
| Measure | Ashby | Epping | Pepperell | Ashburnham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,211Lowest |
7,430 |
11,663Highest |
6,415 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.5±3Highest 30% above U.S. |
45.1±3.5 16% above U.S. |
42.4±3.3 9% above U.S. |
40.7±6.3Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Ashby and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.7%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
22.6%±6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Ashburnham and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.5%±4.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.2%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.1%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Epping and Ashby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
37%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
43.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
44%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±3.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Pepperell and Ashburnham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $115,598±$9k 43% above U.S. |
$104,220±$7kLowest 29% above U.S. |
$124,073±$12kHighest 54% above U.S. |
$118,809±$11k 47% above U.S. |
| Pepperell and Ashburnham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,500±$30kLowest 17% above U.S. |
$436,900±$35k 31% above U.S. |
$482,100±$14kHighest 45% above U.S. |
$390,700±$34k 17% above U.S. |
| Pepperell and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$484Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,742±$576 23% above U.S. |
$1,295±$238 8% below U.S. |
$1,807±$1kHighest 28% above U.S. |
| Ashburnham and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,034Lowest 93% above U.S. |
$6,936Highest 122% above U.S. |
$6,698 115% above U.S. |
$6,046 94% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.4%±53.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.8%±25.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Ashburnham and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970Lowest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 25% above U.S. |
32 min 22% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
32 minLowest 21% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 17.8%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
24%±6.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
16%±7.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Epping and Pepperell 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 | #200 of 282 in MA | #77 of 120 in NH | #153 of 282 in MA | #178 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Epping School District | North Middlesex | Ashburnham-Westminster |
| High school in town | None in town | Epping High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.3 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.