Compare towns

Middlefield vs Dedham vs Tolland

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 56.9).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Tolland has the most homeowners (94.4%).

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.

MeasureMiddlefieldDedhamTolland
People
Population
352Lowest
25,237Highest
540
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-26.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
—
Median age
56.9±3.7Highest
42% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
51.7±7.2
29% above MA
Middlefield and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
4.5%±9.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
17.8%±5.5
MA: 19.4%
Dedham and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.7%±8.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
22.6%±4.1
MA: 17.9%
Middlefield and Tolland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
39.3%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Dedham and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$103,750±$23kLowest
about the MA average
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$106,250±$10k
about the MA average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$332,800±$48kLowest
41% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$355,700±$22k
37% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,625±$1kHighest
49% above MA
$2,042±$182Lowest
16% above MA
—
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,926
18% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$2,714Lowest
55% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.2%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.3%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.1%
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
94.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
7 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1979Highest
15 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
about the MA average
29 minLowest
about the MA average
38 minHighest
32% above MA
Work from home
13.2%±9.2
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
12.5%±5.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Dedham and Middlefield 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 — #119 of 282 in MA —
School district — Dedham —
High school in town — Dedham High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.4
—
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.