Compare towns
Ayer vs Newfields vs Groton vs Devens
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%).
Newfields has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
Devens has the oldest population (median age 48.6).
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 | Newfields | Groton | Devens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 8,645 |
2,023 |
11,390Highest |
1,723Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.2±2.8Lowest about the U.S. average |
44.1±1.8 13% above U.S. |
41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
48.6±4.3Highest 25% above U.S. |
| Devens and Newfields 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% |
18.9%±1.6 U.S.: 22% |
28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
5.5%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Groton and Ayer 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% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
14%±5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Groton 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% |
68.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
70.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±4.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newfields and Groton 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. |
$197,885±$15kHighest 145% above U.S. |
$192,958±$27k 139% above U.S. |
$189,250±$63k 134% above U.S. |
| Newfields and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $463,800±$29kLowest 39% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34k 94% above U.S. |
$743,400±$46kHighest 123% above U.S. |
$556,800±$96k 67% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,415±$180Lowest about the U.S. average |
$1,875±$323Highest 33% above U.S. |
$1,458±$335 3% above U.S. |
$1,500±$539 6% above U.S. |
| Newfields and Devens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,057Lowest 62% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$5,556 78% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±14.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
85.4%±64.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Devens and Ayer 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% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
25.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1950Lowest 30 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
32 min 22% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
27.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.5%±11.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Devens 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 | — |
| School district | Ayer Shirley School District | Newfields School District | Groton-Dunstable | — |
| High school in town | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | None in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5Lowest |
— | 13.7Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 12 photos → | 6 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.