Compare towns
Rutland 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
Rutland has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.5%).
Pepperell has the most expensive homes ($482k median).
Douglas has the most people working from home (20.9%).
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 | Rutland | Pepperell | Douglas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,353 |
11,663Highest |
9,207Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.5%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.5Lowest 4% above MA |
42.4±3.3 6% above 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 | 26.4%±5.4Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.1%±3.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.2%±3.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Rutland and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.7%±2.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±2.3Highest 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+ | 42% MA: 47.3% |
43.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
41.7%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±2.3 MA: 7.9% |
5.7%±2.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Pepperell and Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $145,707±$28k 40% above MA |
$124,073±$12kLowest 19% above MA |
$152,267±$10kHighest 46% above MA |
| Douglas and Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $462,800±$33kLowest 18% below MA |
$482,100±$14kHighest 14% 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 | $1,078±$170Lowest 39% below MA |
$1,295±$238 27% 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 | $5,657Lowest 6% below MA |
$6,698Highest 12% above MA |
$6,338 6% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.8%±26.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±16.1 MA: 51.8% |
33.9%±17.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Rutland and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
8%Highest MA: 10% |
4.8% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
84.3% MA: 62.5% |
83.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1990Highest 26 yrs newer than MA |
1981Lowest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1986 22 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 27% above MA |
34 minLowest 16% above MA |
34 min 16% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.1%±5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
18.1%±2.7 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 | #150 of 282 in MA | #153 of 282 in MA | #177 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Wachusett | North Middlesex | Douglas |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Douglas High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 7.2 |
| 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.