Compare towns
Ayer vs Bozrah vs Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ayer has the most expensive homes ($464k median).
Bozrah has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
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 | Ayer | Bozrah | Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,645Highest |
2,293 |
1,647Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | — |
| Median age | 39.2±2.8Lowest about the U.S. average |
46.4±7.4 19% above U.S. |
51.5±5.3Highest 32% above U.S. |
| Hampton and Bozrah are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.7%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Bozrah and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.1%±2.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampton and Bozrah are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
32.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
29.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Ayer and Bozrah are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $101,875±$15kLowest 26% above U.S. |
$108,516±$11k 34% above U.S. |
$109,167±$19kHighest 35% above U.S. |
| Hampton and Bozrah are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $463,800±$29kHighest 39% above U.S. |
$311,200±$26k 6% below U.S. |
$295,800±$27kLowest 11% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,415±$180 about the U.S. average |
$1,426±$108Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,285±$288Lowest 9% below U.S. |
| Bozrah and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,057Highest 62% above U.S. |
$4,438 42% above U.S. |
$4,364Lowest 40% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±14.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.2%±12.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
52.5%±51.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hampton and Bozrah are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
90%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 9% above U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.5%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.7%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ayer and Hampton 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 | — | — |
| School district | Ayer Shirley School District | Bozrah School District | Hampton School District |
| High school in town | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 12 photos → | 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.