What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lowell has the oldest population (median age 55.5).

Franklin has the highest household income ($65k).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Lowell	Franklin
People
Population	378Lowest	1,628Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	—	+5.7% ME: +2.6%
Median age	55.5±8.6Highest 24% above ME	46±9.3Lowest about the ME average
	Lowell and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.2%±4.4Lowest ME: 18.1%	16.3%±3.9Highest ME: 18.1%
	Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	31.2%±4.7Highest ME: 22.4%	25.6%±3.5Lowest ME: 22.4%
	Lowell and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	30%Highest ME: 36.2%	28.5%Lowest ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.9%±1.9Lowest ME: 5.8%	4.2%±2.6Highest ME: 5.8%
	Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$50,833±$31kLowest 32% below ME	$65,455±$16kHighest 12% below ME
	Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$209,700±$30kLowest 29% below ME	$245,800±$59kHighest 17% below ME
	Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$888±$306 22% below ME
Property taxmedian, yearly	$1,478Lowest 51% below ME	$2,231Highest 27% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	80%±100Highest ME: 48.4%	36.7%±27.8Lowest ME: 48.4%
	Lowell and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	10.8%Lowest ME: 10.7%	15.7%Highest ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	88.5%Highest ME: 74.3%	76.8%Lowest ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1990Highest 13 yrs newer than ME	1984Lowest 7 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	31 minHighest 24% above ME	29 minLowest 18% above ME
Work from home	10.8%±5.7Lowest ME: 15.9%	12.2%±5.5Highest ME: 15.9%
	Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

ME 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.