Compare towns
Ayer vs Hampden vs Abington
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Hampden has the most affordable homes ($301k median).
Abington has the most expensive homes ($540k 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.
| Measure | Ayer | Hampden | Abington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,645 |
7,896Lowest |
17,053Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.2±2.8 about the U.S. average |
41±2.9Highest 5% above U.S. |
39.1±1.8Lowest about the U.S. average |
| 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% |
22.2%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampden and Abington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
13.1%±1.9Lowest 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
45.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
40%Lowest 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% |
5%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hampden and Abington 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±$13k 39% above U.S. |
$125,400±$12kHighest 55% above U.S. |
| Abington and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $463,800±$29k 39% above U.S. |
$301,300±$38kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$539,600±$34kHighest 62% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,415±$180 about the U.S. average |
$1,286±$317Lowest 9% below U.S. |
$1,724±$250Highest 22% above U.S. |
| Abington and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,057 62% above U.S. |
$3,694Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$7,045Highest 126% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±14.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
22.2%±15.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
50.7%±11Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Abington 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1970Lowest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 25% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 14% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 26% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.3%±5.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.1%±2.8Lowest 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 | #143 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Ayer Shirley School District | RSU 22 | Abington |
| High school in town | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | Hampden Academy | Abington High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5 |
14.8Highest |
11.3Lowest |
| 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.