Compare towns

Dover vs Berlin vs Chilmark

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dover has the highest household income ($250k).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($617k median).
Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).

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.

MeasureDoverBerlinChilmark
People
Population
2,308
3,378Highest
1,578Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+10.2%
MA: +7.4%
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4Lowest
19% above MA
49.7±2.8
24% above MA
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
Chilmark and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.4%±4.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
16.7%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
30.1%±5.9
MA: 17.9%
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
48.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
68.1%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.3%±2.5
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±2.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$121,336±$12kLowest
17% above MA
$168,750±$28k
62% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$616,600±$55kLowest
10% above MA
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$2,420±$933Lowest
37% above MA
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
Chilmark and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$7,116
19% above MA
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.6%±19.7
MA: 51.8%
30.8%±59.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
5%Highest
MA: 10%
4.1%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
77.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1992Highest
28 yrs newer than MA
1984
20 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
34 min
17% above MA
32 minLowest
8% above MA
Work from home
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
29.1%±6.8
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±11Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Dover and Berlin 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 #61 of 282 in MA —
School district — Berlin-Boylston Up-Island Regional
High school in town — None in town None in town
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.