What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danforth has the most affordable homes ($90k median).

Lowell has the most expensive homes ($210k 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Danforth	Lowell
People
Population	666Highest	378Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-0.3% ME: +2.6%	—
Median age	53.1±4.4Lowest 19% above ME	55.5±8.6Highest 24% above ME
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.4%±4.3Highest ME: 18.1%	13.2%±4.4Lowest ME: 18.1%
	Danforth and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	26.1%±3.7Lowest ME: 22.4%	31.2%±4.7Highest ME: 22.4%
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	9%Lowest ME: 36.2%	30%Highest ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.7%±2Lowest ME: 5.8%	1.9%±1.9Highest ME: 5.8%
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$48,125±$8kLowest 36% below ME	$50,833±$31kHighest 32% below ME
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$89,900±$36kLowest 70% below ME	$209,700±$30kHighest 29% below ME
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$629±$29 45% below ME	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$1,270Lowest 58% below ME	$1,478Highest 51% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	36.1%±57.5Lowest ME: 48.4%	80%±100Highest ME: 48.4%
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	13.9%Highest ME: 10.7%	10.8%Lowest ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	81.6%Lowest ME: 74.3%	88.5%Highest ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1987Lowest 10 yrs newer than ME	1990Highest 13 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	28 minLowest 15% above ME	31 minHighest 24% above ME
Work from home	5.8%±3.4Lowest ME: 15.9%	10.8%±5.7Highest ME: 15.9%
	Lowell and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

ME 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.