Compare towns

Hanson vs Hanover vs Douglas 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).
Douglas has the most affordable homes ($471k median).
Hanson has the most homeowners (100%).

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.

MeasureHansonHanoverDouglasHanson
People
Population
10,660
14,845Highest
9,207
1,927Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.2%
MA: +7.4%
+6.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
-4.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.8±3
7% above MA
41.8±1.4Lowest
4% above MA
44±2.6Highest
10% above MA
44±4.3Highest
10% above MA
Kids under 18
21.6%±3.7
MA: 19.4%
26.1%±3.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.2%±3.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
25%±5.3
MA: 19.4%
Hanover and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±2.1
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±3.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19.7%±4.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.6%
MA: 47.3%
56.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
41.7%
MA: 47.3%
35.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±1.6
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
0.5%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Douglas 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±$10k
27% above MA
$189,803±$23kHighest
83% above MA
$152,267±$10k
46% above MA
$119,211±$24kLowest
15% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$533,900±$36k
5% below MA
$755,400±$39kHighest
34% above MA
$470,600±$29kLowest
16% below MA
$513,000±$55k
9% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,821±$860
3% above MA
$1,845±$341Highest
5% above MA
$1,503±$697Lowest
15% below MA
—
Hanover and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,402
7% above MA
$9,342Highest
56% above MA
$6,338Lowest
6% above MA
$6,429
7% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69%±33.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
65%±23.8
MA: 51.8%
33.9%±17.4Lowest
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
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
4.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89%
MA: 62.5%
84.5%
MA: 62.5%
83.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
100%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1978
14 yrs newer than MA
1986Highest
22 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
15% above MA
32 minLowest
10% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
37 minHighest
26% above MA
Work from home
7.9%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
19.6%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
20.9%±4.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.2%±5.6
MA: 18.6%
Douglas 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 #149 of 282 in MA #69 of 282 in MA #177 of 282 in MA #149 of 282 in MA
School district Whitman-Hanson Hanover · South Shore Regional Vocational Technical Douglas —
High school in town Whitman Hanson Regional South Shore Vocational Technical High Douglas High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
14.7Highest
10.3
7.2Lowest
—
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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.