Compare towns
Marshfield vs Springfield vs Dedham vs Norwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Marshfield has the oldest population (median age 45.9).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Norwell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
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 | Marshfield | Springfield | Dedham | Norwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,879 |
154,749Highest |
25,237 |
11,361Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8% MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6% MA: +7.4% |
+8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±2.6Highest 15% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
44.6±1.6 12% above MA |
39.2±1.4 about the MA average |
| Marshfield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.6%±2.4 MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Norwell and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.2%±2 MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.1%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Dedham and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.4% MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
69.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $125,986±$8k 21% above MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$128,955±$10k 24% above MA |
$188,699±$25kHighest 82% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $680,300±$27k 21% above MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
$865,700±$35kHighest 54% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,772±$123 about the MA average |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$2,215±$336Highest 26% above MA |
| Norwell and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,656 11% above MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$7,918 32% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 68.1%±10.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Lowest MA: 51.8% |
67.1%±24.5 MA: 51.8% |
| Marshfield and Norwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.8% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 19% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
35 minHighest 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 24.8%±4.3 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
27.1%±4.5Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Norwell and Marshfield 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 | #54 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #80 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Marshfield | Springfield | Dedham | Norwell |
| High school in town | Marshfield High | Springfield Central High | Dedham High | Norwell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.0 |
12.2Highest |
10.4Lowest |
11.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.