What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).

Hampden has the most affordable homes ($301k 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Ayer	Hampden
People
Population	8,645Highest	7,896Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+14.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	+6.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	39.2±2.8Lowest about the U.S. average	41±2.9Highest 5% above U.S.
	Hampden and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	20.3%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22%	25.8%±5.7Highest U.S.: 22%
	Hampden 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%	17.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Hampden and Ayer 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 U.S.: 35.7%	45.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.5%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	5.3%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Hampden 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 26% above U.S.	$111,959±$13kHighest 39% above U.S.
	Hampden and Ayer 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.	$301,300±$38kLowest 9% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,415±$180Highest about the U.S. average	$1,286±$317Lowest 9% below U.S.
	Ayer and Hampden 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.	$3,694Lowest 18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	45.1%±14.2Highest U.S.: 51.1%	22.2%±15.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Ayer and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	10.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	7.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	85.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S.	1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	33 minHighest 25% above U.S.	23 minLowest 14% below U.S.
Work from home	21.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1%	21.3%±5.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Ayer and Hampden 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	#6 of 133 in ME
School district	Ayer Shirley School District	RSU 22
High school in town	Ayer Shirley Regional High School	Hampden Academy
Students per teacherat that high school	11.5Lowest	14.8Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	12 photos →	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.