Compare towns
Westminster vs Marion vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Westminster has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.9%).
Marion has the most expensive homes ($654k median).
Sterling has the most renters (13.7% 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 | Westminster | Marion | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,374Highest |
5,310Lowest |
8,183 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9% MA: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.3±4.6Lowest 21% above MA |
53.8±4Highest 35% above MA |
51.5±1.8 29% above MA |
| Marion and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±4.4Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.7%±4.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Westminster and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26%±5.7 MA: 17.9% |
27.3%±5.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
22.9%±4Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Marion and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
46.7% MA: 47.3% |
48.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.7%±4.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
| Marion and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $106,331±$22kLowest about the MA average |
$143,092±$30kHighest 38% above MA |
$129,063±$27k 24% above MA |
| Marion and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $422,000±$36kLowest 25% below MA |
$653,500±$47kHighest 16% above MA |
$498,800±$48k 11% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,843±$268Highest 5% above MA |
$1,176±$516Lowest 33% below MA |
$1,699±$161 4% below MA |
| Westminster and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,973Lowest 17% below MA |
$5,766 4% below MA |
$6,757Highest 13% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60%±27.3 MA: 51.8% |
75.8%±26.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
46%±23.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Marion and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
9%Highest MA: 10% |
6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.6% MA: 62.5% |
90.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
86.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
1962Lowest 2 yrs older than MA |
1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 7% below MA |
34 min 15% above MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 12.5%±4.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20.1%±8.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±6.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Marion and Sterling 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 | #112 of 282 in MA | #141 of 282 in MA | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Ashburnham-Westminster | Marion | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Oakmont Regional High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.6 |
— | — |
| 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.