Compare towns
Topsfield vs Plainfield vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Topsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
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 | Topsfield | Plainfield | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,564 |
616Lowest |
11,390Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.2±1.8 6% above MA |
50.6±9.5Highest 27% above MA |
41.4±2.7Lowest 4% above MA |
| Plainfield and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24.8%±4.7 MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
28.3%±4.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.4%±3.8 MA: 17.9% |
29.5%±7.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Plainfield and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 71.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
52.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
70.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Groton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $195,718±$16kHighest 88% above MA |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
$192,958±$27k 86% above MA |
| Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $853,400±$40kHighest 52% above MA |
$309,000±$47kLowest 45% below MA |
$743,400±$46k 32% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,115±$538Lowest 37% below MA |
$1,292±$558 27% below MA |
$1,458±$335Highest 17% below MA |
| Groton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,458Lowest 26% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±40.8 MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.5% MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.4% MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
88.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969Lowest 5 yrs newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
32 min 11% above MA |
| Work from home | 29.4%±8.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Topsfield and Groton 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 | #172 of 282 in MA | — | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Topsfield | — | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | None in town | — | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 13.7 |
| 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.