Massachusetts Towns Ranked by Median Age: From College Towns to Retirement Communities (2025)
Amherst's median age is 21.3 years—younger than most college students. Provincetown's is 58.2—older than most retirees. This comprehensive ranking of all 248 Massachusetts municipalities reveals where young professionals cluster, where families settle, and where retirees migrate. Age structure predicts community character, school enrollment, housing demand, and economic vitality more accurately than any other demographic metric.
Massachusetts exhibits extreme age sorting: college towns like Amherst (21.3 years) and Northampton (32.1) anchor the youth end, while Cape Cod retirement communities like Provincetown (58.2) and Wellfleet (57.8) anchor the senior end. Greater Boston suburbs cluster in the 38-45 range—prime family-raising years. This analysis ranks all 248 Massachusetts places by median age using Census ACS 2022 5-year data, revealing where different life stages concentrate and why age structure matters more than income or education for predicting community fit.
Why Median Age Matters
Age structure drives:
- School enrollment trends (younger = growing schools, older = declining)
- Housing demand (families need 3-4BR, retirees downsize)
- Economic vitality (working-age population drives local economy)
- Community services (parks, libraries, senior centers)
- Political priorities (school funding vs. senior services)
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022 5-year estimates (2018-2022), Table B01002 (Median Age by Sex). All 248 Massachusetts municipalities included.
🎓The Youngest Towns: College Anchors and Youth Magnets
Massachusetts's youngest communities are university towns where student populations drive median age below 25. These towns attract young professionals, graduate students, and recent graduates—creating vibrant, dynamic communities with strong rental markets and growing school enrollment.
College town pattern: University presence creates permanent youth magnet. Even after graduation, educated young professionals stay for job opportunities, creating sustained low median age. These towns have: - High rental occupancy (students + young professionals) - Growing school enrollment (young families arriving) - Strong job markets (knowledge economy) - Vibrant cultural scenes (restaurants, arts, nightlife)
👨👩👧👦Family Towns: The 38-45 Sweet Spot
Greater Boston suburbs cluster in the 38-45 median age range—prime family-raising years. These towns have: - Peak school enrollment (elementary through high school) - Strong demand for 3-4 bedroom homes - Active community involvement (PTA, sports, civic groups) - Stable property values (family-driven demand) - High property taxes (school funding priority)
| Town | Median Age | Under 18% | 65+ % | Typology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 41.7 | 22.1% | 18.2% | Wealthy Family Suburb |
| Lexington | N/A | N/A | N/A | Elite Family Fortress |
| Wellesley | N/A | N/A | N/A | Elite Family Fortress |
| Needham | N/A | N/A | N/A | Wealthy Stable |
| Arlington | 40.7 | 21.3% | 29.0% | Family-Friendly Urban |
| Medford | N/A | N/A | N/A | Gentrifying Family |
| Reading | N/A | N/A | N/A | Middle-Class Family |
Family town characteristics: - Median age 38-45 = parents in prime child-rearing years (35-50) - 20-25% population under 18 = strong school enrollment - 15-25% population 65+ = multi-generational stability - High property values = family-driven demand premium
🏖️The Oldest Towns: Retirement Migration Destinations
Cape Cod and Islands anchor Massachusetts's oldest communities, with median ages exceeding 55. These are retirement migration destinations where: - Empty-nesters and retirees relocate from Greater Boston - School enrollment declining (fewer families with children) - Housing demand shifts to smaller units (downsizing) - Senior services become priority (healthcare, recreation) - Property values stable but slower growth (limited family demand)
Retirement community pattern: - Median age 55+ = majority population over 50 - 30-40% population 65+ = senior-dominated - 10-15% population under 18 = minimal school enrollment - Seasonal population swings (summer residents younger)
📊Complete Rankings: All 248 Massachusetts Towns
The following rankings are generated from Census ACS 2022 5-year estimates. Towns are ranked from youngest to oldest median age. Use these rankings to: - Identify age-appropriate communities for your life stage - Predict school enrollment trends (younger = growing, older = declining) - Understand housing demand (families need space, retirees downsize) - Evaluate community character (vibrant vs. stable vs. quiet)
How to Use These Rankings
For Families (35-50): Target towns with median age 38-45. These have peak school enrollment, family-friendly amenities, and stable property values.
For Empty-Nesters (50-65): Target towns with median age 45-55. These offer established communities, good healthcare access, and opportunities to downsize.
For Retirees (65+): Target towns with median age 55+. These prioritize senior services, have lower property taxes (fewer schools), and offer quiet, stable communities.
Note: Rankings are based on Census ACS 2022 5-year estimates (2018-2022 period). Some small towns may have higher margins of error. For the most current data, visit data.census.gov.
🔗Related Analysis
This ranking complements our other demographic analyses: - Massachusetts Demographic Sorting 2000-2024: How education, age, and class migration reshaped communities - Massachusetts Diversity Rankings: Towns ranked by racial/ethnic diversity - Town Finder: Find towns matching your priorities including age structure
Data Methodology
Table: B01002 (Median Age by Sex)
Coverage: All 248 Massachusetts places (cities, towns, CDPs)
Data Quality: 5-year estimates provide higher reliability than 1-year estimates, especially for small municipalities. Margins of error are higher for towns under 10,000 population.
Last Updated: November 2025
Next Update: When Census releases 2023 ACS 5-year estimates (expected September 2024)
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