Compare towns
Hanson vs Mapleton vs Northbridge vs Hanson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hanson has the highest household income ($132k).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Northbridge has the most people working from home (16.2%).
Hanson has the most kids (25% under 18).
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 | Hanson | Mapleton | Northbridge | Hanson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,660 |
1,884Lowest |
16,458Highest |
1,927 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4% U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.8±3 10% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
43.8±2.6 13% above U.S. |
44±4.3Highest 13% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.6%±3.7 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
21.1%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
25%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Hanson and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
35.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
0.5%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $132,200±$10kHighest 64% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kLowest 14% above U.S. |
$111,319±$19k 38% above U.S. |
$119,211±$24k 48% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $533,900±$36kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$448,600±$15k 35% above U.S. |
$513,000±$55k 54% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,821±$860Highest 29% above U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,207±$102 15% below U.S. |
— |
| Hanson and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,402 105% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$4,821 55% above U.S. |
$6,429Highest 106% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69%±33.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.2%±9.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
— |
| Hanson and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
70.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
100%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 27% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
37 minHighest 39% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 7.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.2%±5.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Northbridge and Hanson 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 | #149 of 282 in MA | — | #226 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Whitman-Hanson | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Northbridge | — |
| High school in town | Whitman Hanson Regional | None in town | Northbridge High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.7Highest |
— | 10.8Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.