Compare towns
Thompson vs Topsfield vs Putnam
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Topsfield has the most expensive homes ($853k median).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% rent).
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 | Thompson | Topsfield | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 9,337Highest |
6,564Lowest |
9,292 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +8% U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
42.2±1.8Lowest 8% above U.S. |
43.7±3 12% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.8%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
| Topsfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thompson and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
71.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
20%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Putnam and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $93,629±$18k 16% above U.S. |
$195,718±$16kHighest 142% above U.S. |
$70,561±$7kLowest 13% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $291,900±$24k 12% below U.S. |
$853,400±$40kHighest 157% above U.S. |
$269,200±$11kLowest 19% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,012±$344Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,115±$538 21% below U.S. |
$1,149±$44Highest 19% below U.S. |
| Putnam and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$3,860 24% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54%±18.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.9%±40.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Thompson and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
59.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1969Highest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1961Lowest 19 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
28 min 4% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.1%±4.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.4%±8.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #130 of 149 in CT | #172 of 282 in MA | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Thompson School District | Topsfield | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | None in town | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.9Lowest |
— | 9.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.