Compare towns

Ayer vs Ayer vs Warren

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ayer has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Warren has the most affordable homes ($334k 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.

MeasureAyerAyerWarren
People
Population
3,098Lowest
8,645Highest
5,009
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.1%
MA: +7.4%
+14.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.1±6.9Highest
5% above MA
39.2±2.8
about the MA average
38.7±7.3Lowest
3% below MA
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±5.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.3%±3.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.8%±8Highest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
15.3%±5.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
14.5%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
14.6%±4.5
MA: 17.9%
Ayer and Warren are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.7%
MA: 47.3%
42.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
23.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±3
MA: 7.9%
4.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±2.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,878±$17k
28% below MA
$101,875±$15kHighest
about the MA average
$66,082±$6kLowest
36% below MA
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$444,600±$43k
21% below MA
$463,800±$29kHighest
17% below MA
$333,700±$35kLowest
41% below MA
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,240±$169
30% below MA
$1,415±$180Highest
20% below MA
$890±$174Lowest
49% below MA
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,911
18% below MA
$5,057Highest
16% below MA
$4,530Lowest
24% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±21.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
45.1%±14.2
MA: 51.8%
29.7%±18.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Ayer and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.9%Lowest
MA: 10%
10.7%Highest
MA: 10%
9%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
58.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
69.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
64.5%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1977Highest
13 yrs newer than MA
1975
11 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
about the MA average
33 minHighest
13% above MA
33 min
13% above MA
Work from home
19.8%±6.1
MA: 18.6%
21.6%±5.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.5%±5.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Ayer and Ayer 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 #113 of 282 in MA #113 of 282 in MA #165 of 282 in MA
School district — Ayer Shirley School District Quaboag Regional
High school in town — Ayer Shirley Regional High School Quaboag Regional High
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.5Highest
10.0Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 12 photos → 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.