Compare towns

Georgetown vs Northborough vs Lancaster

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Georgetown has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Northborough has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.2%).
Lancaster has the most people working from home (33.6%).

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.

MeasureGeorgetownNorthboroughLancaster
People
Population
8,474Lowest
15,750Highest
8,606
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+11.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+4.8%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.8±3.5Lowest
7% above MA
45±3Highest
13% above MA
43.1±4.9
8% above MA
Northborough and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.5%±3.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.6%±2.8
MA: 19.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Georgetown and Northborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.5%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
17.7%±2.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19.9%±4.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
Lancaster and Georgetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
56.1%
MA: 47.3%
65.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
50.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±1.6
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±1.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Northborough and Georgetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$151,595±$23k
46% above MA
$153,199±$19kHighest
47% above MA
$134,833±$27kLowest
30% above MA
Northborough and Georgetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$651,200±$23kHighest
16% above MA
$620,000±$24k
10% above MA
$519,100±$60kLowest
8% below MA
Georgetown and Northborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,223±$506
26% above MA
$1,919±$269Lowest
9% above MA
$2,338±$539Highest
33% above MA
Lancaster and Georgetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,272
21% above MA
$7,983Highest
33% above MA
$7,235Lowest
21% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.7%±22.5
MA: 51.8%
50.1%±16.3Lowest
MA: 51.8%
68.3%±36.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
Lancaster and Georgetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.7%
MA: 10%
1.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84%
MA: 62.5%
83.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
1971Lowest
7 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
15% above MA
31 minLowest
7% above MA
32 min
9% above MA
Work from home
20.2%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.5%±5.3
MA: 18.6%
33.6%±9.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Lancaster and Northborough 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 #140 of 282 in MA #35 of 282 in MA #145 of 282 in MA
School district Georgetown Northborough · Northboro-Southboro Nashoba
High school in town Georgetown High School Algonquin Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.3Lowest
10.8Highest
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On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.