Compare towns
Danvers vs Biddeford vs Dedham vs Salem
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).
Biddeford has the most affordable homes ($397k median).
Dedham has the most kids (18.6% under 18).
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.6%).
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 | Biddeford | Dedham | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 28,098 |
22,498Lowest |
25,237 |
44,795Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+7.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±3Highest 16% above U.S. |
35±2.6Lowest 10% below U.S. |
44.6±1.6 15% above U.S. |
39.3±1.5 about the U.S. average |
| 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%±2 U.S.: 22% |
15.6%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.7%±1.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±2.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.1%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±1.7 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% |
32.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
55%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
47.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
11%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.2%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $125,395±$10k 55% above U.S. |
$72,333±$4kLowest 10% below U.S. |
$128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$85,153±$5k 5% 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. |
$396,600±$25kLowest 19% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16kHighest 99% above U.S. |
$542,800±$18k 63% 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. |
$1,292±$100Lowest 9% below U.S. |
$2,042±$182 45% above U.S. |
$1,836±$84 30% 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. |
$4,401Lowest 41% above U.S. |
$7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
$6,114 96% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±8.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
37.2%±6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.9%±4.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dedham and Salem 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% |
15.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
48.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
49.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Highest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1952 28 yrs older than U.S. |
1956 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 8% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 10% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
29 min 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 19.3%±3.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
14.2%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
21.6%±2.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Salem and Dedham 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 | #111 of 133 in ME | #119 of 282 in MA | #248 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers | Biddeford Public Schools | Dedham | Salem |
| High school in town | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School | Biddeford High School | Dedham High | Salem High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
14.1Highest |
10.4 |
9.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.