Compare towns
Holland vs Townsend vs Hampden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Holland has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.9%).
Townsend has the most kids (21% under 18).
Hampden has the shortest commute (26 min average).
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 | Holland | Townsend | Hampden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,583Lowest |
9,100Highest |
4,946 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.3% MA: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±7.8Highest 30% above MA |
40.9±3.3Lowest about the MA average |
50.9±3.3 27% above MA |
| Holland and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.8%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
21%±3.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
14%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Townsend and Holland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.8%±4Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.1%±2.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
26.8%±5.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Holland and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
35.5% MA: 47.3% |
36.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±3.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.6%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Townsend and Holland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $91,979±$12kLowest 12% below MA |
$121,528±$23kHighest 17% above MA |
$104,536±$16k about the MA average |
| Townsend and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $333,600±$33kLowest 41% below MA |
$433,200±$22kHighest 23% below MA |
$358,200±$16k 36% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,750±$209Highest about the MA average |
$1,469±$313 17% below MA |
$1,132±$107Lowest 36% below MA |
| Holland and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,279Lowest 29% below MA |
$6,031 about the MA average |
$6,181Highest 3% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.6%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
50.6%±16.8 MA: 51.8% |
36.9%±42.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Holland and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.9% MA: 10% |
8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95%Highest MA: 62.5% |
82%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
94.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 8 yrs newer than MA |
1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
1966Lowest 2 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 24% above MA |
37 minHighest 27% above MA |
26 minLowest 11% below MA |
| Work from home | 12%±4Highest MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2.8 MA: 18.6% |
9.9%±3.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Holland and Townsend 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 | #182 of 282 in MA | #136 of 282 in MA | #199 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Holland | North Middlesex | Hampden-Wilbraham |
| High school in town | None in town | North Middlesex Regional | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.1 |
— |
| 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.