Compare towns
Dummerston vs Hampden vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dummerston has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Hampden has the oldest population (median age 50.9).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Dummerston | Hampden | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,090 |
4,946Highest |
1,943Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.6±11.7 17% above U.S. |
50.9±3.3Highest 31% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Hampden and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.7%±6Highest U.S.: 22% |
14%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±5.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampden and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 58.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.3%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.6%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $101,696±$21kLowest 26% above U.S. |
$104,536±$16k 29% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $335,300±$22kLowest about the U.S. average |
$358,200±$16k 8% above U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,392±$126Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,132±$107Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359 6% below U.S. |
| Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,536Lowest 45% above U.S. |
$6,181 98% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±32.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.9%±42.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dummerston and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1966Lowest 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 21% below U.S. |
26 min about the U.S. average |
27 minHighest 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 25.9%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Dummerston 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 | — | #199 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Hampden-Wilbraham | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.