Compare towns

Danvers vs Everett vs Fall River vs Dedham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danvers has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Fall River has the most affordable homes ($396k median).
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.

MeasureDanversEverettFall RiverDedham
People
Population
28,098
50,045
94,082Highest
25,237Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%
MA: +7.4%
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.8%
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±3Highest
13% above MA
35.2±1.5Lowest
12% below MA
39.3±1.2
about the MA average
44.6±1.6
12% above MA
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
MA: 19.4%
21.8%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.9%±1.2
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
Everett and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.6%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
11.3%±1.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±0.9
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2
MA: 17.9%
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%
MA: 47.3%
24.9%
MA: 47.3%
16.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
6.3%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±0.6
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1
MA: 7.9%
Everett and Dedham 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
$85,218±$7k
18% below MA
$56,673±$3kLowest
45% below MA
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% 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
$610,000±$23k
9% above MA
$395,500±$11kLowest
30% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% 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
$2,076±$69Highest
18% above MA
$1,155±$27Lowest
34% below MA
$2,042±$182
16% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,654
11% above MA
$4,880
19% below MA
$3,953Lowest
34% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.8%±8.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±5.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.5%±3.3
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
4.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
14.7%
MA: 10%
19.6%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
69.2%
MA: 62.5%
37.2%
MA: 62.5%
35.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Highest
1 yr older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1945
19 yrs older than MA
1956
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
about the MA average
35 minHighest
20% above MA
26 minLowest
11% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
Work from home
19.3%±3.6
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2
MA: 18.6%
7.1%±1.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
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 #264 of 282 in MA #262 of 282 in MA #119 of 282 in MA
School district Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers Everett Fall River · Greater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical Dedham
High school in town Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School Everett High B M C Durfee High Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
12.1
11.3
10.4Lowest
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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.