Compare towns

Otis vs Middlesex vs Smithfield

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%).
Smithfield has the most affordable homes ($243k 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.

MeasureOtisMiddlesexSmithfield
People
Population
705Lowest
1,943Highest
856
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-10.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.7±3.1
41% above U.S.
44.4±3.9Lowest
14% above U.S.
55.8±3.5Highest
43% above U.S.
Smithfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±7.8
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
10%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.9%±8
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.7%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Smithfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.6%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,250±$27kLowest
25% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$107,917±$27k
34% above U.S.
Middlesex and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$282,500±$23k
15% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$242,800±$15kLowest
27% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,563±$734Highest
11% above U.S.
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
$1,109±$358Lowest
22% below U.S.
Otis and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,263Lowest
27% below U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$2,866
8% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
35.7%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±45.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Smithfield and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
88.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1990Highest
10 yrs newer than U.S.
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1983Lowest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
42 minHighest
58% above U.S.
27 minLowest
4% above U.S.
33 min
23% above U.S.
Work from home
5.1%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
22%±7.2
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Otis Public Schools Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school 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.