Compare towns
Danvers vs Newfields vs Dedham vs Danvers
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newfields has the highest household income ($198k).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k 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 | Newfields | Dedham | Danvers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 28,098Highest |
2,023Lowest |
25,237 |
28,098Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±3Highest 16% above U.S. |
44.1±1.8Lowest 13% above U.S. |
44.6±1.6 15% above U.S. |
45.3±3Highest 16% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 17.2%±2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9 U.S.: 22% |
17.2%±2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Newfields and Dedham 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% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±2.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
68.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
55% U.S.: 35.7% |
48.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1 U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newfields 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±$10kLowest 55% above U.S. |
$197,885±$15kHighest 145% above U.S. |
$128,955±$10k 60% above U.S. |
$125,395±$10kLowest 55% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $644,200±$23kLowest 94% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34k 94% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16kHighest 99% above U.S. |
$644,200±$23kLowest 94% above U.S. |
| Dedham and Newfields 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. |
$1,875±$323Lowest 33% above U.S. |
$2,042±$182 45% above U.S. |
$2,076±$192Highest 47% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,654Lowest 113% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$7,918 154% above U.S. |
$6,654Lowest 113% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±8.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.8%±8.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 8% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 19.3%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
19.3%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Newfields 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 | — | #119 of 282 in MA | #91 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers | Newfields School District | Dedham | — |
| High school in town | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School | None in town | Dedham High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8Highest |
— | 10.4Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.



