Compare towns
Ashby vs Topsfield vs Townsend
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashby has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
Topsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Townsend has the most renters (18% rent).
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 | Topsfield | Townsend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,211Lowest |
6,564 |
9,100Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9% MA: +7.4% |
+8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.5±3Highest 26% above MA |
42.2±1.8 6% above MA |
40.9±3.3Lowest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 17%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.8%±4.7Highest MA: 19.4% |
21%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Topsfield and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.5%±4.3 MA: 17.9% |
22.4%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.1%±2.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Topsfield 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% MA: 47.3% |
71.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
35.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Townsend and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $115,598±$9kLowest 11% above MA |
$195,718±$16kHighest 88% above MA |
$121,528±$23k 17% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,500±$30kLowest 31% below MA |
$853,400±$40kHighest 52% above MA |
$433,200±$22k 23% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$484 32% below MA |
$1,115±$538Lowest 37% below MA |
$1,469±$313Highest 17% below MA |
| Townsend and Ashby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,034 about the MA average |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,031Lowest about the MA average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.4%±53.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±40.8 MA: 51.8% |
50.6%±16.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Townsend and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
7.5% MA: 10% |
8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
90.4% MA: 62.5% |
82%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1969Lowest 5 yrs newer than MA |
1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 13% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
37 minHighest 27% above MA |
| Work from home | 17.8%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
29.4%±8.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Topsfield 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 | #200 of 282 in MA | #172 of 282 in MA | #136 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Topsfield | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | North Middlesex Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 13.1 |
| 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.