Compare towns

Pepperell vs Pepperell 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 youngest population (median age 42.4).
Pepperell has the most renters (50.8% rent).
Douglas has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).

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.

MeasurePepperellPepperellDouglas
People
Population
11,663Highest
1,971Lowest
9,207
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%
MA: +7.4%
-4.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.4±3.3Lowest
6% above MA
46.4±6.3Highest
16% above MA
44±2.6
10% 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%
15.7%±5.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21.2%±3.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
Douglas and Pepperell 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%
18.7%±3.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±3.1Lowest
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%Highest
MA: 47.3%
38.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
41.7%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.9%±2.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.3
MA: 7.9%
Pepperell and Douglas 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
$76,726±$17kLowest
26% below MA
$152,267±$10kHighest
46% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$482,100±$14kHighest
14% below MA
$457,300±$40kLowest
19% 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±$238
27% below MA
$1,139±$301Lowest
35% below MA
$1,503±$697Highest
15% below MA
Douglas and Pepperell 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
$6,871Highest
15% above MA
$6,338Lowest
6% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.1%±16.1
MA: 51.8%
56.6%±20.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
33.9%±17.4Lowest
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%
10.9%Highest
MA: 10%
4.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
49.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
83.8%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
1970Lowest
6 yrs newer than MA
1986Highest
22 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minLowest
16% above MA
34 minHighest
18% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
Work from home
18.1%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
13.5%±4.9Lowest
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 #153 of 282 in MA #177 of 282 in MA
School district North Middlesex — Douglas
High school in town None in town — Douglas High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
7.2
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.