Compare towns

Hanover vs Groton vs Hanson

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hanover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.9%).
Groton has the most people working from home (27.5%).
Hanson has the most affordable homes ($534k 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.

MeasureHanoverGrotonHanson
People
Population
14,845Highest
11,390
10,660Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+4.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±1.4
4% above MA
41.4±2.7Lowest
4% above MA
42.8±3Highest
7% above MA
Hanson and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
26.1%±3.5
MA: 19.4%
28.3%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.6%±3.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.1%±2.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
17.3%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
19.7%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
Hanson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
56.8%
MA: 47.3%
70.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
42.6%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.1%±1.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
Groton and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$189,803±$23k
83% above MA
$192,958±$27kHighest
86% above MA
$132,200±$10kLowest
27% above MA
Groton and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$755,400±$39kHighest
34% above MA
$743,400±$46k
32% above MA
$533,900±$36kLowest
5% below MA
Hanover and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,845±$341Highest
5% above MA
$1,458±$335Lowest
17% below MA
$1,821±$860
3% above MA
Hanover and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,342
56% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$6,402Lowest
7% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
65%±23.8
MA: 51.8%
43.8%±17Lowest
MA: 51.8%
69%±33.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Hanson and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.8%
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.8%
MA: 62.5%
89%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
14 yrs newer than MA
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1972Lowest
8 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
10% above MA
32 min
11% above MA
34 minHighest
15% above MA
Work from home
19.6%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
27.5%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
7.9%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Groton and Hanover 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 #69 of 282 in MA #39 of 282 in MA #149 of 282 in MA
School district Hanover · South Shore Regional Vocational Technical Groton-Dunstable Whitman-Hanson
High school in town South Shore Vocational Technical High Groton Dunstable Regional Whitman Hanson Regional
Students per teacherat that high school
10.3Lowest
13.7
14.7Highest
On TownTapestry
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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.