Compare towns
Clinton vs Quinebaug vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Quinebaug has the most affordable homes ($238k median).
Sterling has the most expensive homes ($499k 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 | Clinton | Quinebaug | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 15,563Highest |
1,193Lowest |
8,183 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.6±2.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
56.5±1Highest 45% above U.S. |
51.5±1.8 32% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 17.8%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
0%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Clinton 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% |
29.1%±9.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Quinebaug and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
10.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Clinton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $89,781±$10kLowest 11% above U.S. |
$105,181±$36k 30% above U.S. |
$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Sterling and Quinebaug are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $387,300±$19k 16% above U.S. |
$237,800±$66kLowest 29% below U.S. |
$498,800±$48kHighest 50% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$76Lowest about the U.S. average |
— | $1,699±$161Highest 20% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,654 49% above U.S. |
$3,703Lowest 19% above U.S. |
$6,757Highest 117% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±6.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±23.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Sterling and Clinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
1.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1960 20 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 13% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.2%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.3%±17.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±6.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Quinebaug 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 | #246 of 282 in MA | — | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Clinton | — | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Clinton Senior High | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | — |
| 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.