What stands out worked out from the figures below

Russell has the most kids (10.4% under 18).

Russell has the youngest population (median age 45).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Russell	Russell
People
Population	1,197Highest	487Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-7.4%Highest MA: +7.4%	-12.2%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	47.7±7.6Highest 19% above MA	45±12.8Lowest 13% above MA
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	10.4%±4Highest MA: 19.4%	4.5%±8.4Lowest MA: 19.4%
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.8%±2.6Highest MA: 17.9%	19.3%±0.8Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	30.4%Highest MA: 47.3%	29.1%Lowest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4%±4.3Lowest MA: 7.9%	6.8%±10.7Highest MA: 7.9%
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$108,750±$24kHighest 5% above MA	$106,806±$37kLowest about the MA average
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$303,300±$32kHighest 46% below MA	$302,800±$39kLowest 46% below MA
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,013±$330Highest 43% below MA	$825±$556Lowest 53% below MA
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,104Highest 15% below MA	$4,746Lowest 21% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	25.6%±20.5Lowest MA: 51.8%	30.3%±80.6Highest MA: 51.8%
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	6.3%Lowest MA: 10%	7%Highest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	84.6%Lowest MA: 62.5%	86.4%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1963Highest 1 yr older than MA	1953Lowest 11 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	30 minHighest 3% above MA	29 minLowest about the MA average
Work from home	9.2%±4.3Highest MA: 18.6%	6.3%±7Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Russell and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.