Compare towns
Groton vs Putnam vs Pepperell
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Pepperell has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
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 | Putnam | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,390Highest |
7,120 |
1,971Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
41.2±5.1Lowest 6% above U.S. |
46.4±6.3Highest 19% above U.S. |
| Pepperell 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 U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
15.7%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
17%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.7%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Pepperell 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
18.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
38.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Groton and Putnam 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 139% above U.S. |
$65,511±$7kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$76,726±$17k 5% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $743,400±$46kHighest 123% above U.S. |
$245,100±$13kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$457,300±$40k 37% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,458±$335Highest 3% above U.S. |
$1,147±$43 19% below U.S. |
$1,139±$301Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Groton and Putnam 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. |
$3,564Lowest 14% above U.S. |
$6,871 120% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
38.2%±12.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.6%±20.7Highest 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% |
11.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.8%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
50.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
49.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1970 10 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 22% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 5% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.5%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.7%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.5%±4.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #39 of 282 in MA | #128 of 149 in CT | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Groton-Dunstable | — | — |
| High school in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | — | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.7 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.