Compare towns

Chilmark vs Dover vs Washington

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%).
Dover has the highest household income ($250k).
Washington has the most affordable homes ($371k median).

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.

MeasureChilmarkDoverWashington
People
Population
1,578
2,308Highest
526Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+8.3%
MA: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±8.1
34% above MA
47.5±4Lowest
19% above MA
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
Washington and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.7%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.3%±5.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Chilmark 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%
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
35.4%±1.5
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and Washington 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%
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Chilmark 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
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$95,278±$12kLowest
8% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$370,700±$32kLowest
34% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$2k
56% above MA
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,485
25% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,381Lowest
27% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±59.9
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.3%
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
92.5%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
8% above MA
37 minHighest
26% above MA
25 minLowest
13% below MA
Work from home
25.7%±11
MA: 18.6%
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
12.9%±10.3Lowest
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 — #1 of 282 in MA —
School district Up-Island Regional — —
High school 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.