Compare towns

Groton vs Pepperell vs Halifax

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Pepperell has the most renters (15.7% rent).
Halifax has the most homeowners (95.5%).

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.

MeasureGrotonPepperellHalifax
People
Population
11,390
11,663Highest
7,748Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+3.1%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±2.7Lowest
4% above MA
42.4±3.3Highest
6% above MA
41.9±4.7
5% above MA
Pepperell and Halifax 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%
20.1%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.2%±5.9
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.3%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±2.3
MA: 17.9%
18.8%±3.6Highest
MA: 17.9%
Halifax and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
70.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
43.8%
MA: 47.3%
36.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
5.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
5%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Pepperell 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±$27kHighest
86% above MA
$124,073±$12k
19% above MA
$118,556±$11kLowest
14% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$743,400±$46kHighest
32% above MA
$482,100±$14k
14% below MA
$481,500±$51kLowest
14% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,458±$335
17% below MA
$1,295±$238Lowest
27% below MA
$1,804±$375Highest
about the MA average
Halifax and Groton 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 67% above MA
$6,698Lowest
12% above MA
$6,840
14% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.8%±17Lowest
MA: 51.8%
45.1%±16.1
MA: 51.8%
45.6%±37.4Highest
MA: 51.8%
Halifax and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
MA: 10%
8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.8%
MA: 62.5%
84.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
95.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
1979Lowest
15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
11% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
35 minHighest
22% above MA
Work from home
27.5%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
18.1%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
13.9%±5.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #39 of 282 in MA #153 of 282 in MA #120 of 282 in MA
School district Groton-Dunstable North Middlesex Halifax
High school in town Groton Dunstable Regional None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
13.7
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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.