Compare towns
Pembroke vs Ayer vs Norwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Pembroke has the oldest population (median age 45.5).
Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Norwell has the most expensive homes ($866k 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 | Pembroke | Ayer | Norwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 18,382Highest |
8,645Lowest |
11,361 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.5±3.3Highest 14% above MA |
39.2±2.8Lowest about the MA average |
39.2±1.4Lowest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 19.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.3%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 19.4%±3.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
16.1%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Pembroke and Norwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.7% MA: 47.3% |
42.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
69.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Pembroke and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $146,285±$17k 41% above MA |
$101,875±$15kLowest about the MA average |
$188,699±$25kHighest 82% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $586,500±$28k 4% above MA |
$463,800±$29kLowest 17% below MA |
$865,700±$35kHighest 54% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,464±$753Highest 40% above MA |
$1,415±$180Lowest 20% below MA |
$2,215±$336 26% above MA |
| Pembroke and Norwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,585 10% above MA |
$5,057Lowest 16% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.1%±5.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±14.2 MA: 51.8% |
67.1%±24.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Norwell and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4% MA: 10% |
10.7%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.1% MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1977Highest 13 yrs newer than MA |
1968Lowest 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 19% above MA |
33 minLowest 13% above MA |
35 minHighest 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 21.2%±5.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
21.6%±5.9 MA: 18.6% |
27.1%±4.5Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Norwell and Ayer 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 | #82 of 282 in MA | #113 of 282 in MA | #80 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Pembroke | Ayer Shirley School District | Norwell |
| High school in town | Pembroke High School | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | Norwell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.3Highest |
11.5Lowest |
11.7 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 12 photos → | 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.