Compare towns
Hardwick vs Hatfield vs Pepperell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hardwick has the most kids (20.5% under 18).
Hatfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.2%).
Pepperell has the most renters (50.8% 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.
| Measure | Hardwick | Hatfield | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,684 |
3,325Highest |
1,971Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-4.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±9.8Lowest 13% above MA |
46.8±5Highest 17% above MA |
46.4±6.3 16% above MA |
| Hatfield and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±5.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
14%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
15.7%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Hardwick and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±5 MA: 17.9% |
23.3%±4.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
18.7%±3.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Hatfield and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
38.8% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.2%±4.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
3.9%±2.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Hardwick and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,000±$22kLowest 28% below MA |
$89,005±$25kHighest 14% below MA |
$76,726±$17k 26% below MA |
| Hatfield and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $346,700±$67kLowest 38% below MA |
$440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
$457,300±$40kHighest 19% below MA |
| Pepperell and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,108±$119Lowest 37% below MA |
$1,267±$216Highest 28% below MA |
$1,139±$301 35% below MA |
| Hatfield and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,400Lowest 27% below MA |
$4,930 18% below MA |
$6,871Highest 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59%±13.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
56.6%±20.7 MA: 51.8% |
| Hardwick and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11%Highest MA: 10% |
8.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
10.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 68.2% MA: 62.5% |
74.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
49.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 7% above MA |
20 minLowest 30% below MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 8.7%±4.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
16%±6.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
13.5%±4.9 MA: 18.6% |
| Hatfield and Pepperell 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 | #163 of 282 in MA | #198 of 282 in MA | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Quabbin | Hatfield | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Smith Academy | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 6.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.