Compare towns

Middlesex vs Newfields vs Worcester

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasureMiddlesexNewfieldsWorcester
People
Population
1,943
2,023Highest
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
44.1±1.8Lowest
13% above U.S.
47±2.7Highest
21% above U.S.
Worcester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
68.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
53%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.9%±4.7
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,632±$13k
36% above U.S.
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$1,023±$136Lowest
28% below U.S.
Newfields and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,483
108% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$4,421Lowest
42% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.5%±37
U.S.: 51.1%
Newfields and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
4% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
Work from home
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
23.6%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Newfields School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.