Compare towns
Everett vs Dedham vs Danvers vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Dedham has the most homeowners (73.4%).
Danvers has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($429k 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.
| Measure | Everett | Dedham | Danvers | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 50,045 |
25,237Lowest |
28,098 |
118,368Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
+8.5% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.5Lowest 12% below MA |
44.6±1.6 12% above MA |
45.3±3Highest 13% above MA |
35.6±0.8 11% below MA |
| Danvers and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.8%±2.1Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9 MA: 19.4% |
17.2%±2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.7%±1.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Everett and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2 MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
12.6%±0.8 MA: 17.9% |
| Danvers and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55%Highest MA: 47.3% |
48.4% MA: 47.3% |
30% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
9.7%±0.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,218±$7k 18% below MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$125,395±$10k 21% above MA |
$78,658±$4kLowest 24% below MA |
| Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $610,000±$23k 9% above MA |
$661,800±$16kHighest 18% above MA |
$644,200±$23k 15% above MA |
$429,200±$11kLowest 24% below MA |
| Dedham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,076±$69Highest 18% above MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$2,076±$192Highest 18% above MA |
$1,625±$40Lowest 8% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,880 19% below MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$6,654 11% above MA |
$4,499Lowest 25% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±5.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
48.8%±8.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
52.4%±3.8 MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 14.7% MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
4.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
69.2% MA: 62.5% |
43.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1963Highest 1 yr older than MA |
1953 11 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 20% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
28 min about the MA average |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
19.3%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
10.6%±1.3 MA: 18.6% |
| Dedham and Danvers 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 | #264 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #91 of 282 in MA | #255 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Everett | Dedham | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers | Lowell |
| High school in town | Everett High | Dedham High | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School | Lowell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1 |
10.4Lowest |
12.8 |
14.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.