Compare towns
Pepperell vs Lawrence vs Douglas
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 expensive homes ($482k median).
Lawrence has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.7%).
Douglas has the highest household income ($152k).
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 | Lawrence | Douglas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,663 |
88,736Highest |
9,207Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+16.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 6% above MA |
32.6±0.9Lowest 19% below MA |
44±2.6Highest 10% above MA |
| Douglas and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.1%±3.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26.3%±1.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.2%±3.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Lawrence and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
10.5%±0.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
15.4%±3.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Pepperell and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
16.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
41.7% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±0.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Pepperell and Lawrence 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 |
$60,433±$3kLowest 42% below MA |
$152,267±$10kHighest 46% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14kHighest 14% below MA |
$415,200±$23kLowest 26% below MA |
$470,600±$29k 16% below MA |
| Pepperell and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238Lowest 27% below MA |
$1,662±$50Highest 6% below MA |
$1,503±$697 15% below MA |
| Lawrence and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,698Highest 12% above MA |
$3,422Lowest 43% below MA |
$6,338 6% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1 MA: 51.8% |
60.6%±3.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
33.9%±17.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Lawrence 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% |
17.6%Highest MA: 10% |
4.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
28.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.8% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1950Lowest 14 yrs older than MA |
1986Highest 22 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
23 minLowest 21% below MA |
34 minHighest 16% above MA |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
6.8%±1.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20.9%±4.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Douglas 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 | #278 of 282 in MA | #177 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Lawrence | Douglas |
| High school in town | None in town | Lawrence High School | Douglas High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.6Highest |
7.2Lowest |
| 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.