Compare towns
Groton vs Thompson 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).
Thompson has the most affordable homes ($292k median).
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 | Thompson | Topsfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,390Highest |
9,337 |
6,564Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.7Lowest 6% above U.S. |
54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
42.2±1.8 8% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest 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% |
24.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thompson and Topsfield 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% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
71.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Groton and Topsfield 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. |
$93,629±$18kLowest 16% above 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. |
$291,900±$24kLowest 12% below U.S. |
$853,400±$40kHighest 157% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,458±$335Highest 3% above U.S. |
$1,012±$344Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,115±$538 21% below U.S. |
| Groton and Topsfield 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. |
$3,822Lowest 23% 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% |
54%±18.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.9%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Thompson 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% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 22% above U.S. |
32 min 20% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest 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 | #130 of 149 in CT | #172 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Groton-Dunstable | Thompson School District | Topsfield |
| High school in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.7Highest |
7.9Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.