Compare towns

Danvers vs Hull 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Hull has the oldest population (median age 56.1).
Dedham has the most kids (18.6% under 18).

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.

MeasureDanversHullDedham
People
Population
28,098Highest
10,138Lowest
25,237
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±3
13% above MA
56.1±1.8Highest
40% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
Kids under 18
17.2%±2
MA: 19.4%
11.4%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
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%
26.1%±3.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Hull 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%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
50.4%
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
Dedham and Hull 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
$115,485±$14kLowest
11% above 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±$23kLowest
15% above MA
$646,000±$38k
15% above MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
Dedham and Hull are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,076±$192
18% above MA
$2,081±$187Highest
18% above MA
$2,042±$182Lowest
16% above MA
Hull and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,654
11% above MA
$6,089Lowest
about the MA average
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.8%±8.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±14
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Hull 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%
5.8%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
69.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
79.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Highest
1 yr older than MA
1946Lowest
18 yrs older than MA
1956
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
about the MA average
33 minHighest
14% above MA
29 min
about the MA average
Work from home
19.3%±3.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
19.7%±4.3
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
Dedham and Hull 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 #66 of 282 in MA #119 of 282 in MA
School district Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers Hull Dedham
High school in town Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School Hull High Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
8.8Lowest
10.4
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.