Compare towns
Epsom vs Athol vs Newton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Epsom has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Athol has the most affordable homes ($268k median).
Newton has the highest household income ($138k).
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 | Epsom | Athol | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,939 |
12,011Highest |
4,836Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.1±3.4 21% above U.S. |
41.3±1.9Lowest 6% above U.S. |
47.8±5.7Highest 23% above U.S. |
| Newton and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.2%±4.9 U.S.: 22% |
21.8%±3.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.1%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Athol and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±3.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.3%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Epsom and Athol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 40.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
20.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Epsom and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $97,941±$13k 21% above U.S. |
$69,316±$5kLowest 14% below U.S. |
$138,487±$29kHighest 72% above U.S. |
| Newton and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $338,400±$19k about the U.S. average |
$268,100±$13kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$459,500±$18kHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,212±$437 14% below U.S. |
$1,150±$182Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$1,683±$96Highest 19% above U.S. |
| Newton and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,210 99% above U.S. |
$3,403Lowest 9% above U.S. |
$8,124Highest 160% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 71.2%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.5%±17.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
62%±41.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Epsom and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1953Lowest 27 yrs older than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
30 min 15% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.1%±4.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±5.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Newton and Epsom 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 | #69 of 120 in NH | #256 of 282 in MA | #70 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Epsom School District | Athol-Royalston | Sanborn Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Athol High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.6 |
— |
| 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.