Compare towns
Morris vs Ayer vs Bethlehem vs Colebrook
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Morris has the oldest population (median age 52.8).
Ayer has the youngest population (median age 42.1).
Colebrook has the most affordable homes ($343k 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 | Morris | Ayer | Bethlehem | Colebrook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,164 |
3,098 |
3,423Highest |
1,494Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +4.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | — |
| Median age | 52.8±6.5Highest 36% above U.S. |
42.1±6.9Lowest 8% above U.S. |
51.5±8.5 32% above U.S. |
52.1±5 34% above U.S. |
| Morris and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
20.8%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.3%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.9%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Ayer and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.3%±6.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.3%±5.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.5%±5.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
26%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Morris and Colebrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
36.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.5%±3.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Colebrook and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $109,191±$25k 35% above U.S. |
$74,878±$17kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$108,929±$16k 35% above U.S. |
$111,250±$17kHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Colebrook and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $396,000±$60k 19% above U.S. |
$444,600±$43kHighest 34% above U.S. |
$410,900±$36k 24% above U.S. |
$342,800±$19kLowest 3% above U.S. |
| Ayer and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,204±$134 15% below U.S. |
$1,240±$169 12% below U.S. |
$1,127±$124Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,333±$626Highest 6% below U.S. |
| Colebrook and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,273 69% above U.S. |
$4,911Lowest 57% above U.S. |
$5,932 90% above U.S. |
$6,211Highest 99% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±31.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
46.9%±21.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
69.7%±38.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.1%±55Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Bethlehem and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
58.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
91.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1952Lowest 28 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1960 20 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 11% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 8% above U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.4%±5.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
19.8%±6.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ayer and Morris 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 | — | #113 of 282 in MA | #82 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Regional School District 20 | — | Regional School District 14 | Colebrook School District |
| 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 | 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.