Compare towns
Ayer vs Groton vs Princeton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Groton has the most expensive homes ($743k median).
Princeton has the oldest population (median age 46.1).
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 | Groton | Princeton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,645 |
11,390Highest |
3,529Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
+2.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.2±2.8Lowest about the MA average |
41.4±2.7 4% above MA |
46.1±7Highest 15% above MA |
| Princeton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
28.3%±4.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
22.2%±4.6 MA: 19.4% |
| Groton and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8 MA: 17.9% |
20.9%±3.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Princeton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
70.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
59.4% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9Highest MA: 7.9% |
1.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Groton and Ayer 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 about the MA average |
$192,958±$27kHighest 86% above MA |
$158,750±$46k 53% above MA |
| Groton and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $463,800±$29kLowest 17% below MA |
$743,400±$46kHighest 32% above MA |
$520,500±$48k 7% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,415±$180 20% below MA |
$1,458±$335Highest 17% below MA |
$897±$852Lowest 49% below MA |
| Groton and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,057Lowest 16% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,633 11% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±14.2 MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17Lowest MA: 51.8% |
69.8%±46.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Princeton and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.7%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.8% MA: 62.5% |
94.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
1975Lowest 11 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 13% above MA |
32 minLowest 11% above MA |
37 minHighest 25% above MA |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
29.5%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Princeton and Groton 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 | #39 of 282 in MA | #59 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Ayer Shirley School District | Groton-Dunstable | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | Groton Dunstable Regional | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5Lowest |
13.7Highest |
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| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 12 photos → | 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.