Compare towns

Dover vs Chilmark vs Sherborn

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 most homeowners (97.9%).
Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Sherborn has the most kids (29.2% 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.

MeasureDoverChilmarkSherborn
People
Population
2,308
1,578Lowest
4,427Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%
MA: +7.4%
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4
19% above MA
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
42.8±2.3Lowest
7% above MA
Chilmark and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±4.8
MA: 19.4%
16.7%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
29.2%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
Sherborn and Dover 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%
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
16.3%±3.3
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
68.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
82.3%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±2.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.1%±1.6
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Sherborn 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
$168,750±$28kLowest
62% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$1,026,800±$72kLowest
83% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$2,338±$316Lowest
33% above MA
Chilmark and Sherborn 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
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
30.8%±59.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
48%±26.3
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Sherborn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%
MA: 10%
4.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
89.4%
MA: 62.5%
89.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1968
4 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
32 minLowest
8% above MA
35 min
21% above MA
Work from home
37.4%±8.8
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±11Lowest
MA: 18.6%
49.1%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
Sherborn 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 — #53 of 282 in MA
School district — Up-Island Regional Sherborn
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.