Compare towns

Dover vs Dover vs Washington

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).
Washington has the most affordable homes ($371k 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.

MeasureDoverDoverWashington
People
Population
2,308
5,930Highest
526Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4
19% above MA
44.9±2.3Lowest
12% above MA
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
Washington 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%
26%±5.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.3%±5.9Lowest
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+
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
16.7%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
83.4%
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
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
$95,278±$12kLowest
8% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$1,340,300±$117kHighest
138% above MA
$370,700±$32kLowest
34% below 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±$2k
66% above MA
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,381Lowest
27% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
20%±100
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%Highest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
92.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
35 min
19% above MA
25 minLowest
13% below MA
Work from home
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4
MA: 18.6%
12.9%±10.3Lowest
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
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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.