What stands out worked out from the figures below

Beverly has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).

Dedham has the most homeowners (73.4%).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Beverly	Dedham
People
Population	42,665Highest	25,237Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+8%Highest MA: +7.4%	+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	39±1.8Lowest about the MA average	44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA
Kids under 18	18.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 19.4%	18.6%±1.9Highest MA: 19.4%
	Dedham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.4%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9%	21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9%
	Dedham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	53.4%Lowest MA: 47.3%	55%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	11.3%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9%	5.6%±1Lowest MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$106,044±$7kLowest about the MA average	$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$650,300±$13kLowest 16% above MA	$661,800±$16kHighest 18% above MA
	Dedham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,771±$106Lowest about the MA average	$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA
	Dedham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$6,836Lowest 14% above MA	$7,918Highest 32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	55.5%±7.2Lowest MA: 51.8%	56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8%
	Dedham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	9.4%Highest MA: 10%	5.6%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	60.1%Lowest MA: 62.5%	73.4%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1956 8 yrs older than MA	1956 8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	30 minHighest 3% above MA	29 minLowest about the MA average
Work from home	22.3%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6%	20%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Beverly and Dedham 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	#144 of 282 in MA	#119 of 282 in MA
School district	Beverly	Dedham
High school in town	Beverly High	Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school	12.2Highest	10.4Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.