Signals
Methuen
Lisle
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 42%
vs47 · Bottom 32%
Growth
59 · Top 34%
vs59 · Top 34%
Climate
63 · Bottom 25%
vs60 · Bottom 15%
Housing affordability
83 · Top 46%
vs90 · Top 32%
Access
94 · Top 44%
vs93 · Top 45%
Economic stability
74 · Top 20%
vs78 · Top 11%
Measured values
| Metric | Methuen | Lisle | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,475 | 23,407 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,310 | $107,479 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,042 | $61,682 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,407/sq mi | 3,394/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $499,700 | $406,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,749 | $1,658 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.3% | 55.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -3.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.0% | 61.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 82 | 57 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 2.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 355.6% | 103.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 16°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 33.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 16 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.2 min | 29.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.9 | 36.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Methuen, MA · Lisle, IL · How this is calculated: methodology