City profile · Massachusetts · Census ACS 2023

South Lancaster, MA

South Lancaster's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

1,991
Residents
$104,745
Median income
$370,200
Median home
$2,261
Median rent (state)
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See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for South Lancaster.

Place dossier plate

Sheet MA-SOUTH-LANCASTER-MA · South Lancaster, MA 1,991 pop · income 80th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-HIGH · COL-ABOVE · SAFE-UNK · RANK-TOP · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-MID · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 1,991
  • INC-HIGH $104,745
  • COL-ABOVE 105.8
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-TOP 80th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Apison
  • HOME-MID $370,200
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Apison, TN ( $4 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around South Lancaster

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest South Lancaster on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for South Lancaster on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 1,991.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $104,745. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

South Lancaster - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, South Lancaster lands in the 80th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

80th
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: South Lancaster, MA

South Lancaster is a small town in Massachusetts, home to 1,991 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $104,745 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.3%. Home values in South Lancaster run a median of $370,200, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. About 64.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Massachusetts carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 105.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,261 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Massachusetts run around $330, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 78.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of South Lancaster's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from housing and income to work and mobility to comparison shortlist; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For South Lancaster, city-specific coverage includes commute-mode shares. No matched row is reported here for local building permits, matched public-school count, FBI reported-crime rates, annual population history, within-city Census tract profiles; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

Question 1

How far does income reach against housing in South Lancaster?

The home-value-to-income reference sits in a middle range: the ACS median home value is 3.5 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 3.3%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Income and home value move within the same broad scale here. The useful next check is not a generic affordability label, but whether similar-size cities offer a materially different income, housing, or commute trade-off.

Compare the housing trade-off →

2. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in South Lancaster?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. Remote work has a visible role in the local pattern. That can reduce commute exposure for some workers, but it says nothing about job availability or broadband quality; read it alongside income and housing rather than as a stand-alone lifestyle score.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 52.2%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

Question 3

Which cities make useful reference points for South Lancaster?

Within Massachusetts, the closest population matches are East Pepperell (1,984 residents, $111,736 income); Hanson (2,002 residents, $115,109 income); Harwich Port (2,011 residents, $64,813 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Wadley, GA (1,991 residents); Epworth, IA (1,991 residents); Edgerton, OH (1,991 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Population

1,991 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$104,745 /yr

High income · poverty 3.3% (Low poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.8 (US=100)

High cost · BEA RPP 2024, Massachusetts average

City profile score · South Lancaster, MA

66/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Bachelor's+ share A+
64.6%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income B+
$104,745

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Poverty rate B+
3.3%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Cost of living F
105.8 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

South Lancaster profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Bachelor's+ share, Household income, Poverty rate, Cost of living. Bachelor's+ shareHousehold incomePoverty rateCost of living 66 B-
South Lancaster profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Bachelor's+ share: 94/100 (A+) · 64.6%
  • Household income: 79/100 (B+) · $104,745
  • Poverty rate: 76/100 (B+) · 3.3%
  • Cost of living: 18/100 (F) · 105.8 index

How does South Lancaster compare to other US cities?

South Lancaster measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 80% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares South Lancaster against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Massachusetts only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Massachusetts-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places South Lancaster near the bottom of Massachusetts's cities

Among the 247 Massachusetts cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, South Lancaster ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares South Lancaster only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#101 of 233
57th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 247
0th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
#184 of 240
23rd percentile in Massachusetts
Poverty Rate
#130 of 247
44th percentile in Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#44 of 247
82nd percentile in Massachusetts
How in-state ranks are ordered

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Massachusetts only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

80thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

80th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How South Lancaster's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$370,200 26th percentile more affordable than 26% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. South Lancaster $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

South Lancaster's home-value-to-income ratio: 3.5×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
moderate
3.0–5.0×
National rank
#9,114 of 15,516
More affordable than 41% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#7,339 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 3.5×, South Lancaster sits in the moderate band: national rank #9,114 of 15,516 and #7,339 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). Income and home value move in the same broad scale; check same-state peers before treating the multiple as an advantage or a warning.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$104,745 South Lancaster, MA median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - South Lancaster, MA South Lancaster, MA's median household income ($104,745) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not South Lancaster, MA-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution South Lancaster, MA median $104,745/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
South Lancaster, MA median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for South Lancaster, MA.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 64.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,991
Median Income
$104,745
Median Home Value
$370,200
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor force participation
54.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
64.6%

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
52.2%
Carpool
5.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
35.8%
Other
6.2%

Based on 793 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

Massachusetts statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $330

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across Massachusetts at $330 (electricity about $160 , water and sewer about $60 ).

These are Massachusetts statewide averages, not a meter reading for South Lancaster. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Massachusetts's BEA cost-of-living index is 105.8 (Above Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around South Lancaster is $2,261/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to Massachusetts statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 78.8 / 100 (High).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a Massachusetts statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county South Lancaster sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How South Lancaster compares to similar-size Massachusetts cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
South Lancaster (this city) 1,991 $104,745
East Pepperell 1,984 $111,736
Hanson 2,002 $115,109
Harwich Port 2,011 $64,813
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

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