Compare towns

Hanson vs Danvers vs Halifax

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 highest household income ($132k).
Danvers has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Halifax has the most affordable homes ($482k 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.

MeasureHansonDanversHalifax
People
Population
10,660
28,098Highest
7,748Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.2%
MA: +7.4%
+6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.8±3
7% above MA
45.3±3Highest
13% above MA
41.9±4.7Lowest
5% above MA
Danvers and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.6%±3.7
MA: 19.4%
17.2%±2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.2%±5.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Halifax and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±3
MA: 17.9%
22.6%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.8%±3.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Danvers and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.6%
MA: 47.3%
48.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
36.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5%±1.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
Halifax and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$132,200±$10kHighest
27% above MA
$125,395±$10k
21% above MA
$118,556±$11kLowest
14% above MA
Hanson and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$533,900±$36k
5% below MA
$644,200±$23kHighest
15% above MA
$481,500±$51kLowest
14% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,821±$860
3% above MA
$2,076±$192Highest
18% above MA
$1,804±$375Lowest
about the MA average
Danvers and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,402Lowest
7% above MA
$6,654
11% above MA
$6,840Highest
14% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69%±33.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
48.8%±8.6
MA: 51.8%
45.6%±37.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Hanson and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.7%
MA: 10%
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89%
MA: 62.5%
69.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
95.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1979Highest
15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
15% above MA
28 minLowest
about the MA average
35 minHighest
22% above MA
Work from home
7.9%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
19.3%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.9%±5.3
MA: 18.6%
Danvers and Halifax 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 #91 of 282 in MA #120 of 282 in MA
School district Whitman-Hanson Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers Halifax
High school in town Whitman Hanson Regional Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
14.7Highest
12.8Lowest
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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.