Compare towns
Pepperell vs Halifax vs Hanson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Pepperell has the most renters (50.8% rent).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.1%).
Hanson has the most kids (25% 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 | Pepperell | Halifax | Hanson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,971 |
7,748Highest |
1,927Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-4.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.4±6.3Highest 16% above MA |
41.9±4.7Lowest 5% above MA |
44±4.3 10% above MA |
| Pepperell and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±5.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
22.2%±5.9 MA: 19.4% |
25%±5.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Hanson and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.7%±3.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.6 MA: 17.9% |
19.7%±4.5Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hanson and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
36.1% MA: 47.3% |
35.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
5%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
0.5%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Halifax and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $76,726±$17kLowest 26% below MA |
$118,556±$11k 14% above MA |
$119,211±$24kHighest 15% above MA |
| Hanson and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $457,300±$40kLowest 19% below MA |
$481,500±$51k 14% below MA |
$513,000±$55kHighest 9% below MA |
| Hanson and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,139±$301Lowest 35% below MA |
$1,804±$375Highest about the MA average |
— |
| Halifax and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,871Highest 15% above MA |
$6,840 14% above MA |
$6,429Lowest 7% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.6%±20.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
45.6%±37.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
— |
| Pepperell and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Highest MA: 10% |
2.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 49.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
95.5% MA: 62.5% |
100%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1979Highest 15 yrs newer than MA |
1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minLowest 18% above MA |
35 min 22% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
| Work from home | 13.5%±4.9 MA: 18.6% |
13.9%±5.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
11.2%±5.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Halifax and Pepperell 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 | #153 of 282 in MA | #120 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Halifax | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.