Compare towns

Danvers vs Central Falls vs Dedham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danvers has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Central Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.6%).
Dedham has the most homeowners (73.4%).

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.

MeasureDanversCentral FallsDedham
People
Population
28,098Highest
22,701Lowest
25,237
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+16.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±3Highest
16% above U.S.
32.5±2.3Lowest
16% below U.S.
44.6±1.6
15% above U.S.
Danvers and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.2%±2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
26.1%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±1.9
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
22.6%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
10.7%±2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±2
U.S.: 17.2%
Danvers and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
10.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
55%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.6%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Dedham and Central Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$125,395±$10k
55% above U.S.
$49,285±$8kLowest
39% below U.S.
$128,955±$10kHighest
60% above U.S.
Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$644,200±$23k
94% above U.S.
$352,100±$30kLowest
6% above U.S.
$661,800±$16kHighest
99% above U.S.
Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,076±$192Highest
47% above U.S.
$1,200±$75Lowest
15% below U.S.
$2,042±$182
45% above U.S.
Danvers and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,654
113% above U.S.
$3,744Lowest
20% above U.S.
$7,918Highest
154% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.8%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.7%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±10
U.S.: 51.1%
Central Falls and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
24.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
69.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
25.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Highest
17 yrs older than U.S.
1944Lowest
36 yrs older than U.S.
1956
24 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
8% above U.S.
27 minLowest
4% above U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
Work from home
19.3%±3.6
U.S.: 15.1%
5.2%±2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
20%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Dedham and Danvers 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 #38 of 38 in RI #119 of 282 in MA
School district — Learning Community · Segue Institute for Learning Dedham
High school in town — Central Falls Sr High Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school —
14.6Highest
10.4Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.