Compare towns

Dover vs Dover vs Mansfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.3%).
Dover has the most kids (26% under 18).
Mansfield has the most affordable homes ($604k 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.

MeasureDoverDoverMansfield
People
Population
2,308Lowest
5,930
23,931Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
+2.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4Highest
19% above MA
44.9±2.3
12% above MA
41.4±1.3Lowest
4% above MA
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±4.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
26%±5.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
22.4%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.5%±3.5
MA: 17.9%
16.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±2Lowest
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+
83.4%
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
51.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.3Lowest
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
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$125,273±$15kLowest
21% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$1,340,300±$117kHighest
138% above MA
$603,500±$28kLowest
7% 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 —
$2,917±$2kHighest
66% above MA
$1,803±$147Lowest
about the MA average
Dover and Mansfield 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
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$7,226Lowest
21% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
20%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
38.2%±8.5
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.7%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
35 min
19% above MA
33 minLowest
13% above MA
Work from home
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4
MA: 18.6%
20%±3.4Lowest
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 #60 of 282 in MA
School district — Dover · Dover-Sherborn Mansfield
High school in town — Dover-Sherborn Regional High Mansfield High
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8Lowest
11.1Highest
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.