Compare towns
Dudley vs Morris vs Ware vs Oxford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dudley has the youngest population (median age 40.2).
Morris has the oldest population (median age 52.8).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k median).
Oxford has the most kids (21.3% 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 | Dudley | Morris | Ware | Oxford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,929 |
2,164Lowest |
10,048 |
13,385Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.2±2.4Lowest 3% above U.S. |
52.8±6.5Highest 36% above U.S. |
43.1±4.7 11% above U.S. |
42±2.8 8% above U.S. |
| Morris and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.6%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
17.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.1%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Oxford and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.9%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.3%±6.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.6%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Morris and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
41.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 13.1%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.7%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $84,604±$12k 5% above U.S. |
$109,191±$25kHighest 35% above U.S. |
$67,475±$15kLowest 16% below U.S. |
$103,862±$10k 29% above U.S. |
| Morris and Oxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $392,600±$19k 18% above U.S. |
$396,000±$60kHighest 19% above U.S. |
$289,700±$28kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$374,900±$18k 13% above U.S. |
| Morris and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,217±$182Highest 14% below U.S. |
$1,204±$134 15% below U.S. |
$1,043±$109Lowest 26% below U.S. |
$1,177±$142 17% below U.S. |
| Dudley and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,691Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$5,273Highest 69% above U.S. |
$4,237 36% above U.S. |
$4,622 48% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.4%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±31.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
64.3%±16.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.8%±15.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Ware and Oxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
89.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1967 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1960Lowest 20 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Highest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.4%±5.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.3%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±4.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Morris and Oxford 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 | #142 of 282 in MA | — | #267 of 282 in MA | #245 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Dudley-Charlton Reg | Regional School District 20 | Ware | Oxford |
| High school in town | Shepherd Hill Regional High | None in town | Ware Junior/Senior High School | Oxford High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.3Highest |
— | 11.1 |
10.3Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.