Compare towns
Hamilton vs Williamstown vs Topsfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hamilton has the oldest population (median age 43.5).
Williamstown has the shortest commute (16 min average).
Topsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Williamstown is a college town. 28.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Hamilton | Williamstown | Topsfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,600 |
9,150Highest |
6,564Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6% MA: +7.4% |
-3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.5±2.1Highest 9% above MA |
37.5±6.9Lowest 6% below MA |
42.2±1.8 6% above MA |
| Hamilton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±3.5 MA: 19.4% |
15.5%±3.4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.8%±4.7Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Topsfield and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±3.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
24.1%±3.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
22.4%±3.8 MA: 17.9% |
| Williamstown and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
70.9% MA: 47.3% |
71.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
28.9%±2.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $129,833±$14k 25% above MA |
$106,650±$25kLowest about the MA average |
$195,718±$16kHighest 88% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $720,000±$36k 28% above MA |
$437,100±$39kLowest 22% below MA |
$853,400±$40kHighest 52% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,794±$394Highest about the MA average |
$1,584±$292 10% below MA |
$1,115±$538Lowest 37% below MA |
| Hamilton and Williamstown 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 |
$5,290Lowest 12% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.8%±23.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
48.9%±15.4 MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±40.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hamilton and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.8% MA: 10% |
11.2%Highest MA: 10% |
7.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% MA: 62.5% |
73.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
90.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1958Lowest 6 yrs older than MA |
1959 5 yrs older than MA |
1969Highest 5 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 11% above MA |
16 minLowest 45% below MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
| Work from home | 26.3%±5.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
27.3%±5.5 MA: 18.6% |
29.4%±8.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Topsfield and Williamstown 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 | #36 of 282 in MA | #45 of 282 in MA | #172 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hamilton-Wenham | Mount Greylock | Topsfield |
| High school in town | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | Mt Greylock Regional High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8Highest |
11.4Lowest |
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| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
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.