Ayer, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Ayer is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 3,012. Residents earn $81,286 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
3,012 Population 2,265/sq mi density
$81,286 Median Income $49,852 per capita
$417,300 Home Value $550,735 Zillow
$1,228 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
353 Violent Crime/100K 1,663 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$81,286 median income, 2.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$417,300 home value, $1,228/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
353 violent crimes/100K (7% below avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,286
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $417,300
48% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 353/100K
7% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.9%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,228
6% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.6%
14% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.7%
62% lower than US avg

How Ayer Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,012
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density2,265/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A+
Median Income$81,286
Per Capita$49,852
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty4.7%
County GDP$240,665M
Commute29 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$417,300
Rent$1,228
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$550,735

Crime

F
Violent353/100K
Property1,663/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault277/100K
Burglary693/100K

Health

Obesity27.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain43.4 in/yr
Elevation323 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.9%
High School+87.8%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 29% / D 68%
Commute29 min
EV Stations12
Libraries71

Is Ayer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ayer receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Ayer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ayer is $81,286, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ayer is $417,300, 48% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,228 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ayer is below the national average at 353 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,663 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 87.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Ayer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Ayer has a population of 3,012 with a density of 2,265 people per square mile. The median age is 48.0 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.9%), with 7% Black.

Population

3,012
Total Population
2,265
People / sq mi
48.0yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.7%
Female 58.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ayer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.1%
12% above US avg
Spanish11.9%
11% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ayer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ayer is $81,286, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Ayer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,286
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$49,852
Avg Weekly Wage$2,187
IRS Avg AGI$152,234

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.7%
62% below US avg
Establishments (County)58,457
County GDP$240,665M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,917
Healthcare5,066
Retail4,730
Manufacturing1,511

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,825
209% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.3 min
Work from Home12.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Ayer is $417,300, 48% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,228 (6% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $550,735.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$417,300
48% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$550,735
Median List Price$344,949

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$344,949
$/Sq Ft$397
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio102.0%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,228
6% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,825
209% above US avg
Effective Rate2.59%
In Ayer, 27.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ayer vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.6%
14% below US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma12.8%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death4,416/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access97.1%
Healthcare Facilities5,066
Ayer has a violent crime rate of 353 per 100,000 residents, 7% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,663 per 100,000 (15% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ayer vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent352.7/100K
7% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape75.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault277.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,662.9/100K
15% below US avg
Burglary692.9/100K
Theft907.0/100K
Vehicle Theft63.0/100K
Arson12.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)74

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ayer has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.4 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation323 ft (98 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density2,265/sq mi
Coordinates42.5622°N, 71.5848°W
County FIPS25017
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 35.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 39.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 29%
D 68.5%

Winner: Democrat by 39.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.9%
7% above US avg
High School+87.8%
School Test Score6.49
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,265/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations12
Alt Fuel Stations12
Public Libraries71
Healthcare Facilities5,066
Restaurants3,917
Retail Stores4,730

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)74
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.3 min
Work from Home12.3%

Nearby Cities

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