Compare towns
Hanson vs Ripton vs Halifax vs Rutland
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 most expensive homes ($534k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Halifax has the most homeowners (95.5%).
Rutland has the most kids (26.4% 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 | Ripton | Halifax | Rutland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,660Highest |
508Lowest |
7,748 |
9,353 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+25.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+13.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.8±3 10% above U.S. |
47.7±14.2Highest 23% above U.S. |
41.9±4.7 8% above U.S. |
41.4±2.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Ripton and Hanson 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% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.9 U.S.: 22% |
26.4%±5.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Rutland and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
30.5%±7.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.8%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
14.7%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
48%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
20.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $132,200±$10k 64% above U.S. |
$112,917±$15kLowest 40% above U.S. |
$118,556±$11k 47% above U.S. |
$145,707±$28kHighest 80% above U.S. |
| Rutland 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. |
$394,400±$61kLowest 19% above U.S. |
$481,500±$51k 45% above U.S. |
$462,800±$33k 39% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Halifax 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. |
— | $1,804±$375 28% above U.S. |
$1,078±$170Lowest 24% below U.S. |
| Hanson and Halifax 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. |
$4,915Lowest 58% above U.S. |
$6,840Highest 119% above U.S. |
$5,657 81% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69%±33.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.9%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
45.6%±37.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.8%±26.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hanson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1990Highest 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 27% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
35 min 34% above U.S. |
37 minHighest 40% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 7.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.2%±8.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ripton and Rutland 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 | — | #120 of 282 in MA | #150 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Whitman-Hanson | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Halifax | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Whitman Hanson Regional | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.7 |
— | — | — |
| 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.