Compare towns
Clinton vs Dover vs Webster vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1340k median).
Webster has the most affordable homes ($362k median).
Sterling has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
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.
| Measure | Clinton | Dover | Webster | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,563 |
5,930Lowest |
17,748Highest |
8,183 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.6±2.7Lowest 4% below MA |
44.9±2.3 12% above MA |
39.9±2.9 about the MA average |
51.5±1.8Highest 29% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 17.8%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±2.9 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Dover and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
19.6%±2.5 MA: 17.9% |
22.9%±4Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Sterling and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.6% MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
25.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2 MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.8%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Clinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,781±$10k 14% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$72,895±$6kLowest 30% below MA |
$129,063±$27k 24% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $387,300±$19k 31% below MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$361,500±$12kLowest 36% below MA |
$498,800±$48k 11% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$76 20% below MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$1,228±$81Lowest 30% below MA |
$1,699±$161 4% below MA |
| Dover and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,654 22% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$3,999Lowest 33% below MA |
$6,757 13% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±6.4 MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
45.7%±6.7 MA: 51.8% |
46%±23.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Sterling and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.6% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
12.7%Highest MA: 10% |
6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
59.8% MA: 62.5% |
86.3% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minLowest about the MA average |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
31 min 5% above MA |
34 min 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 14.2%±4.2 MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
8%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±6.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #246 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #271 of 282 in MA | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Clinton | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | Webster | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Clinton Senior High | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | Bartlett High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8Highest |
9.8Lowest |
11.6 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.