Compare towns

Chilmark vs Danvers vs Dover

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Danvers has the most affordable homes ($644k median).
Dover has the highest household income ($250k).

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.

MeasureChilmarkDanversDover
People
Population
1,578Lowest
28,098Highest
2,308
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.3%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
45.3±3Lowest
13% above MA
47.5±4
19% above MA
Chilmark and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.7%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
17.2%±2
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
22.6%±2.2
MA: 17.9%
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%
MA: 47.3%
48.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$168,750±$28k
62% above MA
$125,395±$10kLowest
21% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$644,200±$23kLowest
15% above MA
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$2,076±$192Lowest
18% above MA
—
Chilmark and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$6,654
11% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±59.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
48.8%±8.6
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.1%
MA: 10%
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.4%
MA: 62.5%
69.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
8% above MA
28 minLowest
about the MA average
37 minHighest
26% above MA
Work from home
25.7%±11
MA: 18.6%
19.3%±3.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
Dover and Chilmark 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 — #91 of 282 in MA #1 of 282 in MA
School district Up-Island Regional Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers —
High school in town None in town Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8
—
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.