Compare towns

Groton vs Townsend vs Rumney

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 oldest population (median age 51.1).
Townsend has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.3%).
Rumney has the most renters (22.2% rent).

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.

MeasureGrotonTownsendRumney
People
Population
507Lowest
9,100Highest
1,458
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.1±16.2Highest
31% above U.S.
40.9±3.3Lowest
5% above U.S.
44.5±2.3
14% above U.S.
Groton and Rumney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.4%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21%±3.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.7%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
Townsend and Rumney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.4%±4.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.1%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
24.1%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Groton and Rumney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
41.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2%±2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.9%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
Townsend and Rumney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,625±$21k
6% above U.S.
$121,528±$23kHighest
51% above U.S.
$79,444±$21kLowest
about the U.S. average
Townsend and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$269,000±$45kLowest
19% below U.S.
$433,200±$22kHighest
30% above U.S.
$309,800±$37k
7% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,667±$295Highest
89% above U.S.
$1,469±$313
4% above U.S.
$1,064±$100Lowest
25% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,873Lowest
8% below U.S.
$6,031Highest
93% above U.S.
$4,716
51% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50%±83.6
U.S.: 51.1%
50.6%±16.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.1%±21.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Townsend and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
82%
U.S.: 65.2%
77.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
11% above U.S.
37 minHighest
41% above U.S.
33 min
24% above U.S.
Work from home
13.7%±6.5
U.S.: 15.1%
10.5%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.4%±7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Rumney 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 — #136 of 282 in MA —
School district — North Middlesex Rumney School District
High school in town — North Middlesex Regional None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.1
—
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.