Compare towns

Dover vs Marblehead vs Dover

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%).
Marblehead has the most affordable homes ($944k median).
Dover has the most kids (26% 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.

MeasureDoverMarbleheadDover
People
Population
2,308Lowest
20,413Highest
5,930
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4
19% above MA
49.1±2Highest
23% above MA
44.9±2.3Lowest
12% above MA
Marblehead 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%
22.3%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
26%±5.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Marblehead 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%
22.7%±2.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
16.7%±2.9
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
83.4%
MA: 47.3%
78.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7
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
$182,132±$28kLowest
75% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,308,300±$149k
133% above MA
$943,900±$31kLowest
68% above MA
$1,340,300±$117kHighest
138% 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 —
$1,764±$147Lowest
about the MA average
$2,917±$2kHighest
66% above MA
Dover and Marblehead 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
$8,309Lowest
39% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
49.5%±8.8
MA: 51.8%
20%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Marblehead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%
MA: 10%
4.4%Highest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1944Lowest
20 yrs older than MA
1970Highest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
33 minLowest
13% above MA
35 min
19% above MA
Work from home
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
34%±3.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4
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 #47 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
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.