Compare towns

Florida vs Dedham vs Middlefield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Florida has the most affordable homes ($247k median).
Dedham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.6%).
Middlefield has the most homeowners (94.1%).

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.

MeasureFloridaDedhamMiddlefield
People
Population
668
25,237Highest
352Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-7.7%
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-26.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
56.1±4.4
40% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
56.9±3.7Highest
42% above MA
Middlefield and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.5%±3.1
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
4.5%±9.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
30.1%±4.6Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
28.7%±8.5
MA: 17.9%
Florida and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
31.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Dedham and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,875±$17kLowest
16% below MA
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$103,750±$23k
about the MA average
Dedham and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$246,800±$19kLowest
56% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$332,800±$48k
41% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$256Lowest
51% below MA
$2,042±$182
16% above MA
$2,625±$1kHighest
49% above MA
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,894Lowest
68% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$4,926
18% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
16.7%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.8%
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
12.2%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.3%
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
94.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Highest
14 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1971
7 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
10% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
30 minHighest
about the MA average
Work from home
6.4%±2.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.2%±9.2
MA: 18.6%
Dedham and Middlefield 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 — #119 of 282 in MA —
School district Florida Dedham —
High school in town None in town Dedham High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.4
—
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.