Compare towns
Douglas vs Lee vs Tyringham vs Pepperell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Douglas has the most kids (21.2% under 18).
Lee has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Tyringham has the most expensive homes ($699k median).
Pepperell has the youngest population (median age 42.4).
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 | Douglas | Lee | Tyringham | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,207 |
5,719 |
494Lowest |
11,663Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
— | +0.9% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44±2.6 10% above MA |
55.2±5.8 38% above MA |
59.2±2.7Highest 48% above MA |
42.4±3.3Lowest 6% above MA |
| Tyringham and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±3.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
12.6%±5 MA: 19.4% |
8.7%±5.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.1%±3.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Douglas and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.4%±3.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
33.4%±6.1 MA: 17.9% |
35.2%±8.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Tyringham and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.7%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
44.1% MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
43.8% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±2.3 MA: 7.9% |
5%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
3.6%±2.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.7%±2.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Pepperell and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $152,267±$10k 46% above MA |
$83,750±$13kLowest 19% below MA |
$163,333±$28kHighest 57% above MA |
$124,073±$12k 19% above MA |
| Tyringham and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $470,600±$29k 16% below MA |
$352,700±$19kLowest 37% below MA |
$699,400±$96kHighest 24% above MA |
$482,100±$14k 14% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,503±$697Highest 15% below MA |
$1,375±$212 22% below MA |
$1,050±$393Lowest 40% below MA |
$1,295±$238 27% below MA |
| Douglas and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,338 6% above MA |
$3,980Lowest 34% below MA |
$4,632 23% below MA |
$6,698Highest 12% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.9%±17.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.3%±21.2 MA: 51.8% |
60%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±16.1 MA: 51.8% |
| Tyringham and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8% MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
3.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
8%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.8% MA: 62.5% |
71.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
84.3% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 22 yrs newer than MA |
1959Lowest 5 yrs older than MA |
1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
18 minLowest 38% below MA |
36 minHighest 23% above MA |
34 min 16% above MA |
| Work from home | 20.9%±4.9 MA: 18.6% |
16.4%±7.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.1%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
| Tyringham and Douglas 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 | #177 of 282 in MA | #209 of 282 in MA | — | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Douglas | Lee | — | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | Douglas High School | Lee Middle/High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.2Lowest |
9.2Highest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 20 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.