Compare towns
Dover vs Spencer vs Carlisle
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 expensive homes ($1308k median).
Spencer has the most affordable homes ($382k median).
Carlisle has the most kids (26.4% 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.
| Measure | Dover | Spencer | Carlisle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,308Lowest |
12,008Highest |
5,239 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.3%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.9% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.5±4 19% above MA |
48.9±6.8Highest 22% above MA |
45.3±3.1Lowest 13% above MA |
| Spencer 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% |
16.4%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26.4%±5.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Carlisle 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% |
26%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
21.7%±3.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Spencer and Carlisle 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% |
29.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
87.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.2%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Spencer 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 |
$80,533±$11kLowest 23% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$382,000±$22kLowest 32% below MA |
$1,103,900±$46k 96% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,078±$161Lowest 39% below MA |
$1,313±$855Highest 25% below MA |
| Carlisle and Spencer 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 |
$4,387Lowest 27% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
50.6%±10.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
77%±21.4 MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Carlisle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% MA: 10% |
11%Highest MA: 10% |
1.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
63%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
93.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Lowest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
34 minLowest 18% above MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 37.4%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
15%±7.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
38.5%±8.2Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Carlisle 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 | #261 of 282 in MA | #24 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Spencer-E Brookfield | Carlisle |
| High school in town | — | David Prouty High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.9 |
— |
| 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.