Compare towns
Lyme vs Newfields vs Pepperell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lyme has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Pepperell has the most affordable homes ($482k 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 | Lyme | Newfields | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,710Lowest |
2,023 |
11,663Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.6±7.8Highest 25% above U.S. |
44.1±1.8 13% above U.S. |
42.4±3.3Lowest 9% above U.S. |
| Lyme and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.5%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Pepperell and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.5%±2.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.2%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
68.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
43.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newfields and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $133,906±$15k 66% above U.S. |
$197,885±$15kHighest 145% above U.S. |
$124,073±$12kLowest 54% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $645,000±$64k 94% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34kHighest 94% above U.S. |
$482,100±$14kLowest 45% above U.S. |
| Newfields and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,418±$130 about the U.S. average |
$1,875±$323Highest 33% above U.S. |
$1,295±$238Lowest 8% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,698Lowest 115% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.8%±29.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lyme and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 21% below U.S. |
26 min about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.2%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Lyme and Newfields 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 | — | — | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lyme School District | Newfields School District | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.