Compare towns
Ayer vs Sterling vs Abington
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%).
Sterling has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Abington has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
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 | Sterling | Abington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,645 |
8,183Lowest |
17,053Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.7% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.2±2.8 about the MA average |
51.5±1.8Highest 29% above MA |
39.1±1.8Lowest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
22.2%±3.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Abington 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 MA: 17.9% |
22.9%±4Highest MA: 17.9% |
13.1%±1.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.3% MA: 47.3% |
48.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
40%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
5%±1.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Abington and Sterling 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 |
$129,063±$27kHighest 24% above MA |
$125,400±$12k 21% above MA |
| Sterling and Abington 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 |
$498,800±$48k 11% below MA |
$539,600±$34kHighest 4% below MA |
| Abington and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,415±$180Lowest 20% below MA |
$1,699±$161 4% below MA |
$1,724±$250Highest about the MA average |
| Abington and Sterling 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 |
$6,757 13% above MA |
$7,045Highest 18% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±14.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46%±23.1 MA: 51.8% |
50.7%±11Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Abington and Sterling 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% |
6% MA: 10% |
5.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
86.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
72.7% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
1970Lowest 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minLowest 13% above MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
33 min 14% above MA |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±6.2 MA: 18.6% |
15.1%±2.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Ayer and Sterling 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 | #135 of 282 in MA | #143 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Ayer Shirley School District | Wachusett | Abington |
| High school in town | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | None in town | Abington High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5Highest |
— | 11.3Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.