Compare towns
Dalton vs Dedham vs Hinsdale
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dalton has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Dedham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.6%).
Hinsdale has the most affordable homes ($268k 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.
| Measure | Dalton | Dedham | Hinsdale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,256 |
25,237Highest |
1,859Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -6.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-5.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±5.8Highest 24% above MA |
44.6±1.6 12% above MA |
43.8±10.1Lowest 9% above MA |
| Dalton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.6%±4.7Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9 MA: 19.4% |
15%±4.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Dalton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.9%±5.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.3%±4.5 MA: 17.9% |
| Dalton and Hinsdale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.3% MA: 47.3% |
55%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.6Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±4.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Hinsdale and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,438±$8k 24% below MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$77,845±$17kLowest 25% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $295,700±$26k 47% below MA |
$661,800±$16kHighest 18% above MA |
$267,600±$35kLowest 52% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $872±$70Lowest 51% below MA |
$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA |
$1,109±$118 37% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,276 29% below MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$3,065Lowest 49% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.2%±19 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
38.3%±24.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dedham and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Highest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
78.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1957 7 yrs older than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1958Highest 6 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 24% below MA |
29 minHighest about the MA average |
23 min 20% below MA |
| Work from home | 12.5%±7.1 MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
7.7%±4.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Dedham and Dalton 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 | #192 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Central Berkshire | — | Central Berkshire |
| High school in town | Wahconah Regional High | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.9 |
— | — |
| 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.