Compare towns
Douglas vs Sutton vs Wheelock vs Pepperell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Douglas has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Sutton has the most expensive homes ($523k median).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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 | Sutton | Wheelock | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,207 |
9,452 |
717Lowest |
11,663Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44±2.6 13% above U.S. |
44.3±2.5 14% above U.S. |
51±5.6Highest 31% above U.S. |
42.4±3.3Lowest 9% above U.S. |
| Wheelock and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.6%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
| 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.8%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.4%±4.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.2%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
52.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
43.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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±$10kHighest 89% above U.S. |
$147,125±$25k 82% above U.S. |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below U.S. |
$124,073±$12k 54% above U.S. |
| Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $470,600±$29k 41% above U.S. |
$523,100±$47kHighest 57% above U.S. |
$189,600±$37kLowest 43% below U.S. |
$482,100±$14k 45% above U.S. |
| Sutton and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,503±$697Highest 6% above U.S. |
$1,190±$401Lowest 16% below U.S. |
— | $1,295±$238 8% below U.S. |
| Douglas and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,338 103% above U.S. |
$6,763Highest 117% above U.S. |
$2,937Lowest 6% below U.S. |
$6,698 115% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
47.5%±24.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Sutton and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
30 min 12% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
34 min 28% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.9%±4.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.7%±4.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±16 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sutton and Wheelock 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 | #105 of 282 in MA | — | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Douglas | Sutton | — | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | Douglas High School | Sutton High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.2Lowest |
12.6Highest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.