Compare towns
Spencer vs Needham vs Adams
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Spencer has the oldest population (median age 48.9).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Adams has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
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 | Spencer | Needham | Adams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,008 |
32,459Highest |
8,074Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-3.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.9±6.8Highest 22% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
47.3±3.3 18% above MA |
| Spencer and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.4%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
15.7%±3.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
25.2%±3.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Spencer and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29.1% MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Spencer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,533±$11k 23% below MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$58,929±$6kLowest 43% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $382,000±$22k 32% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$209,900±$15kLowest 63% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,078±$161 39% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$963±$74Lowest 45% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,387 27% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$3,638Lowest 39% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 50.6%±10.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
62.1%±10.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Adams and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11% MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
13.2%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 63% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
62.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 18% above MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
24 minLowest 19% below MA |
| Work from home | 15%±7.3 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #261 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #230 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Spencer-E Brookfield | Needham | Hoosac Valley Regional |
| High school in town | David Prouty High | Needham High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.9Lowest |
11.9Highest |
— |
| 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.