What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lowell has the most kids (30.7% under 18).

Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).

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	Washington
People
Population	1,070Lowest	1,208Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%	+6.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	32.9±6.5Lowest 15% below U.S.	55±4.7Highest 41% above U.S.
Kids under 18	30.7%±6.2Highest U.S.: 22%	13.8%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	12.3%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	29%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	19.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	32%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	4.6%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Washington and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$57,404±$15kLowest 29% below U.S.	$89,453±$12kHighest 11% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$183,400±$33kLowest 45% below U.S.	$358,600±$32kHighest 8% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$945±$46Lowest 33% below U.S.	$1,106±$160Highest 22% below U.S.
	Washington and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$2,810Lowest 10% below U.S.	$4,321Highest 39% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	26.3%±92.9Highest U.S.: 51.1%	0%±88.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Lowell and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	9.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	8.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	94.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S.	1983Lowest 3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	55 minHighest 109% above U.S.	36 minLowest 34% above U.S.
Work from home	7.5%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	14.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Washington and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Lowell School District	Washington School District
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

U.S. 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.