Compare towns
Groton vs Killingly vs Pepperell vs Topsfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Pepperell has the most renters (50.8% rent).
Topsfield has the most expensive homes ($853k median).
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 | Groton | Killingly | Pepperell | Topsfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,390 |
17,867Highest |
1,971Lowest |
6,564 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | -4.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
39.5±3Lowest about the U.S. average |
46.4±6.3Highest 19% above U.S. |
42.2±1.8 8% above U.S. |
| Pepperell and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±2.3 U.S.: 22% |
15.7%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.8%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.7%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Topsfield and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
22.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
38.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
71.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Groton and Killingly 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 139% above U.S. |
$84,350±$8k 4% above U.S. |
$76,726±$17kLowest 5% below U.S. |
$195,718±$16kHighest 142% above U.S. |
| 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 123% above U.S. |
$288,600±$15kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$457,300±$40k 37% above U.S. |
$853,400±$40kHighest 157% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,458±$335Highest 3% above U.S. |
$1,044±$141Lowest 26% below U.S. |
$1,139±$301 19% below U.S. |
$1,115±$538 21% below U.S. |
| Groton and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$3,922Lowest 26% above U.S. |
$6,871 120% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.8%±10.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
56.6%±20.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.9%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Pepperell 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
11.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
49.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1970 10 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above U.S. |
28 min 6% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.5%±4.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.4%±8.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | #136 of 149 in CT | #153 of 282 in MA | #172 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Groton-Dunstable | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | — | Topsfield |
| High school in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | Killingly High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.7Highest |
11.1Lowest |
— | — |
| 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.