Compare towns

Deerfield vs Upton vs Northwood

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Deerfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Upton has the most expensive homes ($577k median).
Northwood has the most affordable homes ($363k 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.

MeasureDeerfieldUptonNorthwood
People
Population
4,932
8,189Highest
4,688Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+13.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.8±4.2
10% above U.S.
46.4±4.8Highest
19% above U.S.
42.4±7.8Lowest
9% above U.S.
Upton and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
23.2%±4.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
18%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Upton and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.5%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±4.9
U.S.: 17.2%
21.5%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Northwood and Upton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
53.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Northwood and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$131,563±$10k
63% above U.S.
$155,508±$33kHighest
93% above U.S.
$129,375±$23kLowest
60% above U.S.
Upton and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$421,000±$33k
27% above U.S.
$576,700±$41kHighest
73% above U.S.
$363,000±$13kLowest
9% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,593±$318Highest
13% above U.S.
$948±$599Lowest
33% below U.S.
$1,201±$372
15% below U.S.
Deerfield and Northwood are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,369
136% above U.S.
$8,376Highest
169% above U.S.
$5,806Lowest
86% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
17.4%±17.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.8%±31Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
23.7%±29.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Upton and Northwood are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1970Lowest
10 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minLowest
30% above U.S.
35 min
34% above U.S.
37 minHighest
38% above U.S.
Work from home
22.4%±6.3
U.S.: 15.1%
22.8%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.7%±6.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Upton and Deerfield 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 #61 of 120 in NH #46 of 282 in MA #24 of 120 in NH
School district Deerfield School District Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton Northwood School District · Coe-Brown Northwood Academy School District
High school in town None in town Blackstone Valley Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.2Lowest
11.5Highest
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.