Compare towns

Leyden vs Marblehead vs Plainfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Leyden has the oldest population (median age 53.2).
Marblehead has the most expensive homes ($944k median).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).

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.

MeasureLeydenMarbleheadPlainfield
People
Population
637
20,413Highest
616Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.2±8.2Highest
33% above MA
49.1±2Lowest
23% above MA
50.6±9.5
27% above MA
Leyden and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.8%±3.6Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±2.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
19%±9.3
MA: 19.4%
Marblehead and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.6%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
22.7%±2.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
29.5%±7.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Plainfield and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
78.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
52.6%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±2.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
Plainfield and Marblehead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,893±$13k
about the MA average
$182,132±$28kHighest
75% above MA
$63,500±$14kLowest
39% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$372,900±$24k
34% below MA
$943,900±$31kHighest
68% above MA
$309,000±$47kLowest
45% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,917±$451Highest
9% above MA
$1,764±$147
about the MA average
$1,292±$558Lowest
27% below MA
Leyden and Marblehead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,651
22% below MA
$8,309Highest
39% above MA
$4,458Lowest
26% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±100
MA: 51.8%
49.5%±8.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
40%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Marblehead and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
MA: 10%
4.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
16.9%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
98%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1944Lowest
20 yrs older than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minLowest
12% above MA
33 min
13% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
Work from home
11%±5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
26.2%±8.8
MA: 18.6%
Marblehead and Plainfield 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 — #47 of 282 in MA —
School district — Marblehead —
High school in town — Marblehead High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.7
—
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.