Compare towns

Groton vs Everett vs Topsfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Topsfield has the shortest commute (28 min average).

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.

MeasureGrotonEverettTopsfield
People
Population
11,390
50,045Highest
6,564Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+8%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±2.7
4% above MA
35.2±1.5Lowest
12% below MA
42.2±1.8Highest
6% above MA
Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
28.3%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.8%±2.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.8%±4.7
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.3%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
11.3%±1.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
22.4%±3.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
70.1%
MA: 47.3%
24.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
71.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
6.3%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Everett and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$192,958±$27k
86% above MA
$85,218±$7kLowest
18% below MA
$195,718±$16kHighest
88% above MA
Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$743,400±$46k
32% above MA
$610,000±$23kLowest
9% above MA
$853,400±$40kHighest
52% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,458±$335
17% below MA
$2,076±$69Highest
18% above MA
$1,115±$538Lowest
37% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,880Lowest
19% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.8%±17
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±5.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
41.9%±40.8Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Everett and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
14.7%Highest
MA: 10%
7.5%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.8%
MA: 62.5%
37.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
90.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1969
5 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
11% above MA
35 minHighest
20% above MA
28 minLowest
5% below MA
Work from home
27.5%±5.8
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
29.4%±8.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Topsfield and Groton 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 #39 of 282 in MA #264 of 282 in MA #172 of 282 in MA
School district Groton-Dunstable Everett Topsfield
High school in town Groton Dunstable Regional Everett High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
13.7Highest
12.1Lowest
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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.