Compare towns
Hatfield vs Lee vs Hopedale
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hatfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.2%).
Lee has the most affordable homes ($353k median).
Hopedale has the most kids (22.4% 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 | Hatfield | Lee | Hopedale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,325Lowest |
5,719 |
6,027Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+1.8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.8±5 17% above MA |
55.2±5.8Highest 38% above MA |
44.4±5.2Lowest 11% above MA |
| Lee and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
12.6%±5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
22.4%±6.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Hopedale and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 23.3%±4.6 MA: 17.9% |
33.4%±6.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±4.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Lee and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
44.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
5%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.1%±3.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Hopedale and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $89,005±$25k 14% below MA |
$83,750±$13kLowest 19% below MA |
$115,722±$19kHighest 11% above MA |
| Hopedale and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
$352,700±$19kLowest 37% below MA |
$466,100±$28kHighest 17% below MA |
| Hopedale and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,267±$216Lowest 28% below MA |
$1,375±$212 22% below MA |
$1,788±$223Highest about the MA average |
| Hopedale and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,930 18% below MA |
$3,980Lowest 34% below MA |
$6,868Highest 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.3%±21.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
46.9%±30.9 MA: 51.8% |
| Lee and Hopedale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.6% MA: 62.5% |
71.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
79.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Highest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1959Lowest 5 yrs older than MA |
1959Lowest 5 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 30% below MA |
18 minLowest 38% below MA |
31 minHighest 6% above MA |
| Work from home | 16%±6.3 MA: 18.6% |
16.4%±7.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
13.2%±5.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Lee and Hatfield 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 | #198 of 282 in MA | #209 of 282 in MA | #125 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hatfield | Lee | Hopedale |
| High school in town | Smith Academy | Lee Middle/High School | Hopedale Jr Sr High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 6.1Lowest |
9.2 |
10.2Highest |
| 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.