Compare towns
Lynnfield vs Dover vs Wakefield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lynnfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1340k median).
Wakefield has the most affordable homes ($724k 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.
| Measure | Lynnfield | Dover | Wakefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 13,064 |
5,930Lowest |
27,793Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8.7% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.1Lowest 4% above MA |
44.9±2.3Highest 12% above MA |
42.4±1.7 6% above MA |
| Dover and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 28%±4.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
20%±2.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Lynnfield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.9%±2.4 MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19%±1.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Wakefield and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 62.7% MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
59.7%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.4%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $175,265±$23k 69% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$134,306±$14kLowest 29% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $917,600±$31k 63% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$723,500±$24kLowest 29% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,676±$219 52% above MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$1,958±$102Lowest 11% above MA |
| Dover and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,779Lowest 30% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.2%±21.9Highest MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
43.7%±7.9 MA: 51.8% |
| Lynnfield and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
70.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 same as MA |
1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 10% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
33 min 14% above MA |
| Work from home | 27.4%±4.7 MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Lynnfield 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 | #27 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #179 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lynnfield | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | — |
| High school in town | Lynnfield High | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0Highest |
9.8Lowest |
— |
| 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.