Compare towns

Middlesex vs Pepperell vs Dummerston

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Pepperell has the most expensive homes ($482k median).
Dummerston has the shortest commute (21 min average).

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.

MeasureMiddlesexPepperellDummerston
People
Population
1,943Lowest
11,663Highest
2,090
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
42.4±3.3Lowest
9% above U.S.
45.6±11.7Highest
17% above U.S.
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
20.1%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
18.2%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
24.3%±3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Dummerston and Middlesex 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%
43.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
58.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
5.7%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Pepperell and Middlesex 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.
$124,073±$12kHighest
54% above U.S.
$101,696±$21kLowest
26% above U.S.
Pepperell and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$482,100±$14kHighest
45% above U.S.
$335,300±$22kLowest
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
$1,295±$238Lowest
8% below U.S.
$1,392±$126Highest
about the U.S. average
Dummerston 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.
$6,698Highest
115% above U.S.
$4,536Lowest
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
45.1%±16.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±32.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Pepperell and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
4% above U.S.
34 minHighest
28% above U.S.
21 minLowest
21% below U.S.
Work from home
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.1%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
25.9%±10.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Dummerston 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 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 North Middlesex Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
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.