Compare towns
Millis vs Devens vs Putnam vs Norfolk
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Devens has the oldest population (median age 48.6).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Norfolk has the most kids (24.4% 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 | Millis | Devens | Putnam | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 8,888 |
1,723Lowest |
9,292 |
11,673Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +3.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.4±3 19% above U.S. |
48.6±4.3Highest 25% above U.S. |
43.7±3 12% above U.S. |
41.6±1.3Lowest 7% above U.S. |
| Devens and Millis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.4%±2.8 U.S.: 22% |
5.5%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
24.4%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Norfolk and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.5%±3.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
14%±5 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.5%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
13.8%±2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Millis and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
20%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
61.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±4.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.2%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Devens and Millis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $155,996±$9k 93% above U.S. |
$189,250±$63k 134% above U.S. |
$70,561±$7kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$200,720±$22kHighest 149% above U.S. |
| Norfolk and Devens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $603,500±$31k 81% above U.S. |
$556,800±$96k 67% above U.S. |
$269,200±$11kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$725,200±$34kHighest 118% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,696±$279 20% above U.S. |
$1,500±$539 6% above U.S. |
$1,149±$44Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$2,019±$598Highest 43% above U.S. |
| Norfolk and Millis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,344 200% above U.S. |
$5,556 78% above U.S. |
$3,860Lowest 24% above U.S. |
$9,651Highest 209% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±16.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
85.4%±64.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±16 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Devens and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
25.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
59.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1950Lowest 30 yrs older than U.S. |
1961 19 yrs older than U.S. |
1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 16% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
36 minHighest 37% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 17.5%±4.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.5%±11.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
9%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.6%±5.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Norfolk and Devens 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 | #63 of 282 in MA | — | #128 of 149 in CT | #123 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Millis | — | Putnam School District | King Philip · Millis |
| High school in town | Millis High School | — | Putnam High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Highest |
— | 9.5Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.