Compare towns
Hanover vs Holden 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 the most expensive homes ($755k median).
Holden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.8%).
Hanson has the most homeowners (89%).
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 | Hanover | Holden | Hanson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 14,845 |
20,064Highest |
10,660Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.9% MA: +7.4% |
+14.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.2%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.8±1.4 4% above MA |
41.5±1.8Lowest 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%±3.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
24.9%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
21.6%±3.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Hanover and Holden 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% |
18.7%±1.8 MA: 17.9% |
19.7%±3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hanson and Holden 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% |
58.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.1%±1.6Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±2.2 MA: 7.9% |
| Holden 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±$23kHighest 83% above MA |
$141,923±$11k 37% above MA |
$132,200±$10kLowest 27% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $755,400±$39kHighest 34% above MA |
$470,700±$13kLowest 16% below MA |
$533,900±$36k 5% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,845±$341Highest 5% above MA |
$1,648±$214Lowest 6% 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 | $9,342Highest 56% above MA |
$6,359Lowest 6% above MA |
$6,402 7% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65%±23.8 MA: 51.8% |
42.4%±7.2Lowest 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% |
4.4% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.3% MA: 62.5% |
89%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 14 yrs newer than MA |
1971Lowest 7 yrs newer than MA |
1972 8 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 10% above MA |
27 minLowest 6% below MA |
34 minHighest 15% above MA |
| Work from home | 19.6%±4.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.2%±3.1 MA: 18.6% |
7.9%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Hanover and Holden 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 | #57 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hanover · South Shore Regional Vocational Technical | Wachusett | Whitman-Hanson |
| High school in town | South Shore Vocational Technical High | Wachusett Regional High | Whitman Hanson Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.3Lowest |
13.0 |
14.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.