Compare towns
Groton vs Killingly vs Topsfield vs Norwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Topsfield has the most people working from home (29.4%).
Norwell has the most expensive homes ($866k 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 | Topsfield | Norwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,390 |
17,867Highest |
6,564Lowest |
11,361 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
39.5±3 about the U.S. average |
42.2±1.8Highest 8% above U.S. |
39.2±1.4Lowest about the U.S. average |
| 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%±4.9 U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.8%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
28.5%±3.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Norwell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.1%±2Lowest 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% |
71.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
69.6% 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% |
3.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±1.4 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±$8kLowest 4% above U.S. |
$195,718±$16kHighest 142% above U.S. |
$188,699±$25k 134% 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. |
$853,400±$40k 157% above U.S. |
$865,700±$35kHighest 160% above U.S. |
| Norwell and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,458±$335 3% above U.S. |
$1,044±$141Lowest 26% below U.S. |
$1,115±$538 21% below U.S. |
$2,215±$336Highest 57% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$3,922Lowest 26% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% 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% |
41.9%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.1%±24.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Norwell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
91.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above U.S. |
28 min 6% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 34% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.4%±8.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
27.1%±4.5 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 | #172 of 282 in MA | #80 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Groton-Dunstable | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Topsfield | Norwell |
| High school in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | Killingly High School | None in town | Norwell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.7Highest |
11.1Lowest |
— | 11.7 |
| 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.