Compare towns
Pepperell vs Walpole vs Hanson vs Dunstable
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 affordable homes ($482k median).
Walpole has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Hanson has the oldest population (median age 42.8).
Dunstable has the highest household income ($209k).
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 | Walpole | Hanson | Dunstable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,663 |
26,388Highest |
10,660 |
3,408Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.2% MA: +7.4% |
+5.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 6% above MA |
40.9±1.2Lowest about the MA average |
42.8±3Highest 7% above MA |
41.5±2.4 4% above MA |
| Hanson 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% |
25.1%±2.4Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.6%±3.7 MA: 19.4% |
22.4%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Walpole and Dunstable 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% |
16.9%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
19.7%±3Highest MA: 17.9% |
15%±2.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Hanson 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% |
67.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
62.4% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3 MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±2.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.1%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Dunstable and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,073±$12kLowest 19% above MA |
$171,500±$16k 65% above MA |
$132,200±$10k 27% above MA |
$208,512±$23kHighest 101% above MA |
| Dunstable and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14kLowest 14% below MA |
$687,100±$20kHighest 22% above MA |
$533,900±$36k 5% below MA |
$674,000±$30k 20% above MA |
| Walpole and Dunstable 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 |
$2,205±$222Highest 25% above MA |
$1,821±$860 3% above MA |
$1,325±$637 25% below MA |
| Walpole and Hanson 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 |
$8,523 42% above MA |
$6,402Lowest 7% above MA |
$9,020Highest 51% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1 MA: 51.8% |
37.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
69%±33.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
60%±77.1 MA: 51.8% |
| Hanson and Dunstable are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.6% MA: 10% |
2.7% MA: 10% |
0.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% MA: 62.5% |
83.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89% MA: 62.5% |
96.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
1972Lowest 8 yrs newer than MA |
1987Highest 23 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
34 minLowest 15% above MA |
34 minLowest 15% above MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
28.2%±4.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
7.9%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20%±3.9 MA: 18.6% |
| Walpole and Dunstable 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 | #107 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA | #4 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Norfolk County Agricultural · Walpole | Whitman-Hanson | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | None in town | Walpole High | Whitman Hanson Regional | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.3Lowest |
14.7Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.