Compare towns
Merrimac vs Plainville vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Merrimac has the oldest population (median age 49.4).
Plainville has grown the fastest since 2010 (+20.3%).
South Hampton has the most kids (23.3% under 18).
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 | Merrimac | Plainville | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,748 |
9,943Highest |
984Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+20.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.4±6.8Highest 27% above U.S. |
43.2±3.6Lowest 11% above U.S. |
45.1±5.3 16% above U.S. |
| Merrimac and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.3%±4 U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
| South Hampton and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Merrimac and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
52.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Plainville and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $123,054±$16k 52% above U.S. |
$104,106±$13kLowest 29% above U.S. |
$152,500±$44kHighest 89% above U.S. |
| South Hampton and Merrimac are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $553,400±$38k 66% above U.S. |
$476,000±$35kLowest 43% above U.S. |
$661,100±$45kHighest 99% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,352±$325Lowest 4% below U.S. |
$1,977±$197Highest 40% above U.S. |
$1,889±$489 34% above U.S. |
| Plainville and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,399 137% above U.S. |
$5,329Lowest 71% above U.S. |
$9,109Highest 192% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59.3%±29.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
53.8%±13.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
30%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Merrimac and Plainville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
70.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Lowest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 21% above U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.5%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.9%±4.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
17%±3.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Plainville and South Hampton 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 | #188 of 282 in MA | #102 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Pentucket | Plainville | South Hampton School District |
| 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.