Compare towns

Douglas vs Hanson vs Windsor

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Douglas has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Hanson has the most expensive homes ($534k median).
Windsor has the most affordable homes ($390k 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.

MeasureDouglasHansonWindsor
People
Population
9,207
10,660Highest
1,065Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+4.2%
MA: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44±2.6
10% above MA
42.8±3Lowest
7% above MA
44.8±6.4Highest
12% above MA
Windsor and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.2%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
21.6%±3.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.8%±5.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Hanson and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.4%±3.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19.7%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.6%±4.9
MA: 17.9%
Hanson and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.7%
MA: 47.3%
42.6%Highest
MA: 47.3%
41.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Douglas and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$152,267±$10kHighest
46% above MA
$132,200±$10k
27% above MA
$115,563±$10kLowest
11% above MA
Douglas and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$470,600±$29k
16% below MA
$533,900±$36kHighest
5% below MA
$389,700±$32kLowest
31% below MA
Hanson and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,503±$697Lowest
15% below MA
$1,821±$860Highest
3% above MA
—
Hanson and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,338
6% above MA
$6,402Highest
7% above MA
$3,867Lowest
35% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.9%±17.4
MA: 51.8%
69%±33.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Hanson and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89%
MA: 62.5%
96.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
22 yrs newer than MA
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1970Lowest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
16% above MA
34 minLowest
15% above MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
Work from home
20.9%±4.9
MA: 18.6%
7.9%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
21.2%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
Windsor and Douglas 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 #177 of 282 in MA #149 of 282 in MA —
School district Douglas Whitman-Hanson —
High school in town Douglas High School Whitman Hanson Regional —
Students per teacherat that high school
7.2Lowest
14.7Highest
—
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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.