Compare towns

Ashfield vs Dover vs Leverett

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ashfield has the most affordable homes ($401k median).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.3%).
Leverett has the shortest commute (27 min average).

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.

MeasureAshfieldDoverLeverett
People
Population
1,893
2,308Highest
1,608Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.8%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
58.6±3.4Highest
47% above MA
47.5±4Lowest
19% above MA
56±6.4
40% above MA
Ashfield and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.4%±3.6Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.7%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
34.8%±4.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
67.4%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.1%±1
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,833±$16kLowest
22% below MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$104,688±$18k
about the MA average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$400,600±$30kLowest
29% below MA
$1,308,300±$149kHighest
133% above MA
$435,500±$35k
23% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$200Lowest
38% below MA
—
$1,389±$135Highest
21% below MA
Leverett and Ashfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,197Lowest
13% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$6,779
13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.5%±34Lowest
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
73.3%±6.3
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Leverett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.1%
MA: 10%
3.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
10%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
87.2%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1973Highest
9 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
about the MA average
37 minHighest
26% above MA
27 minLowest
9% below MA
Work from home
24%±6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
28.5%±5
MA: 18.6%
Dover and Leverett 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 — #1 of 282 in MA —
School district Mohawk Trail — Leverett
High school in town None in town — None in town
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.