Compare towns

Sutton vs Norfolk vs Douglas

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sutton has the shortest commute (30 min average).
Norfolk has the most people working from home (32.6%).
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.

MeasureSuttonNorfolkDouglas
People
Population
9,452
11,673Highest
9,207Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.4%
MA: +7.4%
+3.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±2.5Highest
11% above MA
41.6±1.3Lowest
4% above MA
44±2.6
10% above MA
Sutton and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.6%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.4%±3.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.2%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
Norfolk and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.8%±3.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.8%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±3.1
MA: 17.9%
Sutton and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.8%
MA: 47.3%
61.6%Highest
MA: 47.3%
41.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±1.8
MA: 7.9%
3.2%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$147,125±$25kLowest
42% above MA
$200,720±$22kHighest
93% above MA
$152,267±$10k
46% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$523,100±$47k
7% below MA
$725,200±$34kHighest
29% above MA
$470,600±$29kLowest
16% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,190±$401Lowest
32% below MA
$2,019±$598Highest
15% above MA
$1,503±$697
15% below MA
Norfolk and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,763
13% above MA
$9,651Highest
61% above MA
$6,338Lowest
6% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.5%±24.4
MA: 51.8%
57.1%±16Highest
MA: 51.8%
33.9%±17.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Norfolk and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
MA: 62.5%
94.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
83.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Lowest
17 yrs newer than MA
1984
20 yrs newer than MA
1986Highest
22 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minLowest
about the MA average
36 minHighest
24% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
Work from home
22.7%±4.1
MA: 18.6%
32.6%±5.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
20.9%±4.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #105 of 282 in MA #123 of 282 in MA #177 of 282 in MA
School district Sutton King Philip · Millis Douglas
High school in town Sutton High School None in town Douglas High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.6Highest
—
7.2Lowest
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.