Compare towns
Oakham vs Topsfield vs Windsor
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Oakham has the oldest population (median age 49).
Topsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Windsor has the most affordable homes ($390k 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 | Oakham | Topsfield | Windsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,639 |
6,564Highest |
1,065Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.7% MA: +7.4% |
+8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-7.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49±2.3Highest 23% above MA |
42.2±1.8Lowest 6% above MA |
44.8±6.4 12% above MA |
| Oakham and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.2%±3.1 MA: 19.4% |
24.8%±4.7Highest MA: 19.4% |
15.8%±5.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Topsfield and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
22.4%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
18.6%±4.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Topsfield and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 40.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
71.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
41.5% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±2.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±1.9Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $102,000±$20kLowest about the MA average |
$195,718±$16kHighest 88% above MA |
$115,563±$10k 11% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $420,100±$20k 25% below MA |
$853,400±$40kHighest 52% above MA |
$389,700±$32kLowest 31% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,174±$81Highest 33% below MA |
$1,115±$538Lowest 37% below MA |
— |
| Oakham and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,103 32% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$3,867Lowest 35% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27.8%±69.1 MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±40.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
0%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Topsfield and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.4% MA: 10% |
7.5%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.6% MA: 62.5% |
90.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
96.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 15 yrs newer than MA |
1969Lowest 5 yrs newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 39 minHighest 32% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
37 min 27% above MA |
| Work from home | 9.6%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
29.4%±8.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
21.2%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Topsfield and Windsor 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 | — | #172 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Quabbin | Topsfield | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA 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.