Compare towns

Hanson vs Ware vs Hanson

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hanson has the most kids (25% under 18).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k median).
Hanson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.2%).

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.

MeasureHansonWareHanson
People
Population
1,927Lowest
10,048
10,660Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2%
MA: +7.4%
+4.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44±4.3Highest
10% above MA
43.1±4.7
8% above MA
42.8±3Lowest
7% above MA
Hanson and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25%±5.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.1%±3.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21.6%±3.7
MA: 19.4%
Hanson and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±4.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.6%±3.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
19.7%±3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Ware and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.1%
MA: 47.3%
24%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
42.6%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.4%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2Highest
MA: 7.9%
Hanson and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$119,211±$24k
15% above MA
$67,475±$15kLowest
35% below MA
$132,200±$10kHighest
27% above MA
Hanson and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$513,000±$55k
9% below MA
$289,700±$28kLowest
48% below MA
$533,900±$36kHighest
5% below MA
Hanson and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,043±$109Lowest
41% below MA
$1,821±$860Highest
3% above MA
Hanson and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,429Highest
7% above MA
$4,237Lowest
29% below MA
$6,402
7% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent —
64.3%±16.2Lowest
MA: 51.8%
69%±33.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Hanson and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%
MA: 10%
11.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
100%Highest
MA: 62.5%
72.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
1972Highest
8 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
26% above MA
28 minLowest
about the MA average
34 min
15% above MA
Work from home
11.2%±5.6
MA: 18.6%
12.3%±3.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
7.9%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Ware and Hanson 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 #149 of 282 in MA #267 of 282 in MA #149 of 282 in MA
School district — Ware Whitman-Hanson
High school in town — Ware Junior/Senior High School Whitman Hanson Regional
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.1Lowest
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.