Compare towns
Lunenburg vs Sterling vs Raynham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lunenburg has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.8%).
Sterling has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Raynham has the most expensive homes ($524k 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.
| Measure | Lunenburg | Sterling | Raynham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,902 |
8,183Lowest |
15,505Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+13.1% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.2±2.1 8% above MA |
51.5±1.8Highest 29% above MA |
42.9±1.5Lowest 7% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 21.1%±3Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.4%±2.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Lunenburg and Raynham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.9%±2.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.9%±4Highest MA: 17.9% |
19.8%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Sterling and Raynham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44% MA: 47.3% |
48.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
39.7%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.9%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Sterling and Lunenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $112,828±$11kLowest 9% above MA |
$129,063±$27kHighest 24% above MA |
$124,012±$16k 19% above MA |
| Sterling and Raynham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $463,900±$24kLowest 17% below MA |
$498,800±$48k 11% below MA |
$524,400±$29kHighest 7% below MA |
| Raynham and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,974±$586Highest 12% above MA |
$1,699±$161Lowest 4% below MA |
$1,749±$74 about the MA average |
| Lunenburg and Raynham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,401Lowest 7% above MA |
$6,757Highest 13% above MA |
$6,752 13% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±13.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46%±23.1 MA: 51.8% |
67.1%±13.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Raynham and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
6% MA: 10% |
7.7%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% MA: 62.5% |
86.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
78.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs newer than MA |
1980 16 yrs newer than MA |
1986Highest 22 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 24% above MA |
34 minLowest 18% above MA |
36 minHighest 25% above MA |
| Work from home | 15.8%±3.5 MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±6.2Highest MA: 18.6% |
11.8%±3.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Sterling and Lunenburg 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 | #87 of 282 in MA | #135 of 282 in MA | #190 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lunenburg | Wachusett | Bridgewater-Raynham |
| High school in town | Lunenburg High | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.4 |
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| 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.