Compare towns

Pepperell vs Douglas vs Groton vs Pepperell

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has the most expensive homes ($743k median).
Pepperell has the most renters (50.8% rent).

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.

MeasurePepperellDouglasGrotonPepperell
People
Population
11,663Highest
9,207
11,390
1,971Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-4.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.4±3.3
6% above MA
44±2.6
10% above MA
41.4±2.7Lowest
4% above MA
46.4±6.3Highest
16% above MA
Pepperell and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.1%±3.3
MA: 19.4%
21.2%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
28.3%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.7%±5.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.2%±2.3
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±3.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
17.3%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
18.7%±3.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
Pepperell and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
43.8%
MA: 47.3%
41.7%
MA: 47.3%
70.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
38.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.3
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
3.9%±2.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Pepperell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$124,073±$12k
19% above MA
$152,267±$10k
46% above MA
$192,958±$27kHighest
86% above MA
$76,726±$17kLowest
26% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$482,100±$14k
14% below MA
$470,600±$29k
16% below MA
$743,400±$46kHighest
32% above MA
$457,300±$40kLowest
19% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,295±$238
27% below MA
$1,503±$697Highest
15% below MA
$1,458±$335
17% below MA
$1,139±$301Lowest
35% below MA
Douglas and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,698
12% above MA
$6,338Lowest
6% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$6,871
15% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.1%±16.1
MA: 51.8%
33.9%±17.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
43.8%±17
MA: 51.8%
56.6%±20.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
Pepperell and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8%
MA: 10%
4.8%
MA: 10%
3.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
10.9%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.3%
MA: 62.5%
83.8%
MA: 62.5%
88.8%Highest
MA: 62.5%
49.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
1986
22 yrs newer than MA
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1970Lowest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
16% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
32 minLowest
11% above MA
34 minHighest
18% above MA
Work from home
18.1%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
20.9%±4.9
MA: 18.6%
27.5%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.5%±4.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Groton and Douglas 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 #177 of 282 in MA #39 of 282 in MA #153 of 282 in MA
School district North Middlesex Douglas Groton-Dunstable —
High school in town None in town Douglas High School Groton Dunstable Regional —
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.2Lowest
13.7Highest
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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.