Compare towns
Bolton vs Newfields vs Sherborn
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
Newfields has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Sherborn has the most expensive homes ($1027k 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 | Bolton | Newfields | Sherborn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,737Highest |
2,023Lowest |
4,427 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +15.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.2±1.7Lowest 6% above U.S. |
44.1±1.8Highest 13% above U.S. |
42.8±2.3 10% above U.S. |
| Newfields and Sherborn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
29.2%±4.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Sherborn and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.7%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.3%±3.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Sherborn and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
68.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
82.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newfields and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $205,449±$31k 154% above U.S. |
$197,885±$15kLowest 145% above U.S. |
$250,001Highest 210% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $796,000±$49k 139% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34kLowest 94% above U.S. |
$1,026,800±$72kHighest 209% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,583±$1kLowest 12% above U.S. |
$1,875±$323 33% above U.S. |
$2,338±$316Highest 65% above U.S. |
| Sherborn and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.7%±45.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
48%±26.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Sherborn and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 39% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
35 min 34% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 40.5%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
49.1%±7.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sherborn and Bolton 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 | #28 of 282 in MA | — | #53 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Nashoba | Newfields School District | Sherborn |
| High school in town | Nashoba Regional | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.