Compare towns
Danvers vs Dedham vs Northfield vs Danvers
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dedham has the most kids (18.6% under 18).
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($376k 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 | Danvers | Dedham | Northfield | Danvers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 28,098Highest |
25,237 |
2,872Lowest |
28,098Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6% MA: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±3 13% above MA |
44.6±1.6Lowest 12% above MA |
48.9±4.2Highest 22% above MA |
45.3±3 13% above MA |
| Northfield and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.2%±2 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
14.8%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
17.2%±2 MA: 19.4% |
| Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
25.5%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
| Northfield and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.4% MA: 47.3% |
55%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.4% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.4%±3 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dedham and Northfield 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 21% above MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$103,375±$10kLowest about the MA average |
$125,395±$10k 21% above MA |
| 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 15% above MA |
$661,800±$16kHighest 18% above MA |
$375,800±$31kLowest 33% below MA |
$644,200±$23k 15% above MA |
| 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 18% above MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$1,142±$200Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,076±$192Highest 18% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,654 11% above MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$4,594Lowest 23% below MA |
$6,654 11% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±8.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
49.2%±25.9 MA: 51.8% |
48.8%±8.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dedham and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
6.8%Highest MA: 10% |
4.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
85.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Highest 1 yr older than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1963Highest 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest about the MA average |
29 min about the MA average |
31 minHighest 8% above MA |
28 minLowest about the MA average |
| Work from home | 19.3%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
16.5%±10.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
19.3%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
| 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 | #119 of 282 in MA | #231 of 282 in MA | #91 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Dedham | Pioneer Valley | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers |
| High school in town | — | Dedham High | Pioneer Valley Regional | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.4Lowest |
10.7 |
12.8Highest |
| 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.