Compare towns

Chilmark vs Dover vs Sherborn

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 most homeowners (97.9%).
Sherborn has the most people working from home (49.1%).

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.

MeasureChilmarkDoverSherborn
People
Population
1,578Lowest
5,930Highest
4,427
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.8%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
44.9±2.3
12% above MA
42.8±2.3Lowest
7% 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%
26%±5.2
MA: 19.4%
29.2%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
Sherborn and Dover 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%
16.7%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
16.3%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
82.3%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.1%±1.6
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Sherborn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$168,750±$28kLowest
62% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$1,340,300±$117k
138% above MA
$1,026,800±$72kLowest
83% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$2k
56% above MA
$2,917±$2kHighest
66% above MA
$2,338±$316Lowest
33% above MA
Dover and Chilmark 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
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±59.9
MA: 51.8%
20%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
48%±26.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Sherborn 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%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.1%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.4%
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
89.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
1968Lowest
4 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
8% above MA
35 min
19% above MA
35 minHighest
21% above MA
Work from home
25.7%±11Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4
MA: 18.6%
49.1%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #1 of 282 in MA #53 of 282 in MA
School district Up-Island Regional Dover · Dover-Sherborn Sherborn
High school in town None in town Dover-Sherborn Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8
—
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.