Compare towns

Devens vs Dover vs Dover

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Devens has the most affordable homes ($557k median).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.3%).
Dover has the most kids (26% 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.

MeasureDevensDoverDover
People
Population
1,723Lowest
2,308
5,930Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-7.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.6±4.3Highest
22% above MA
47.5±4
19% above MA
44.9±2.3Lowest
12% above MA
Devens and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
5.5%±3.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±4.8
MA: 19.4%
26%±5.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14%±5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
15.5%±3.5
MA: 17.9%
16.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
83.4%
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±4.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$189,250±$63kLowest
82% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$556,800±$96kLowest
about the MA average
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$1,340,300±$117kHighest
138% above MA
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,500±$539Lowest
15% below MA
—
$2,917±$2kHighest
66% above MA
Dover and Devens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,556Lowest
7% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±64.7
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
20%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Devens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
25.3%Highest
MA: 10%
3.3%
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1950Lowest
14 yrs older than MA
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1970Highest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% below MA
37 minHighest
26% above MA
35 min
19% above MA
Work from home
28.5%±11.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4
MA: 18.6%
Dover and Dover 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 — #1 of 282 in MA #1 of 282 in MA
School district — — Dover · Dover-Sherborn
High school in town — — Dover-Sherborn Regional High
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.8
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.