What stands out worked out from the figures below

Beverly has the most people working from home (22.3%).

Norwood has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.5%).

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	Norwood
People
Population	42,665Highest	31,542Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+8%Lowest MA: +7.4%	+10.5%Highest MA: +7.4%
Median age	39±1.8 about the MA average	39±1.8 about the MA average
Kids under 18	18.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 19.4%	20%±2.1Highest MA: 19.4%
	Norwood and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.4%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9%	17.6%±1.4Lowest MA: 17.9%
	Beverly and Norwood 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%	55.4%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	11.3%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9%	5%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$106,044±$7kLowest about the MA average	$107,030±$11kHighest about the MA average
	Norwood and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$650,300±$13kLowest 16% above MA	$651,700±$13kHighest 16% above MA
	Norwood 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	$2,116±$83Highest 20% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly	$6,836Highest 14% above MA	$6,111Lowest about the MA average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	55.5%±7.2Highest MA: 51.8%	54.3%±7.5Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Beverly and Norwood 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%	8.8%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	60.1%Highest MA: 62.5%	54%Lowest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA	1960Highest 4 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	30 minLowest 3% above MA	30 minHighest 4% above MA
Work from home	22.3%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6%	16.1%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading	#144 of 282 in MA	#176 of 282 in MA
School district	Beverly	Norwood
High school in town	Beverly High	Norwood High
Students per teacherat that high school	12.2Highest	11.5Lowest
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.