Compare towns

Millis vs Norfolk vs Ware

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Millis has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Norfolk has the most people working from home (32.6%).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k 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.

MeasureMillisNorfolkWare
People
Population
8,888Lowest
11,673Highest
10,048
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.9%
MA: +7.4%
+2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
46.4±3Highest
16% above MA
41.6±1.3Lowest
4% above MA
43.1±4.7
8% above MA
Millis and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.4%±2.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.4%±3.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.1%±3.5
MA: 19.4%
Norfolk and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.5%±3.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.8%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.6%±3.4
MA: 17.9%
Millis and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.5%
MA: 47.3%
61.6%Highest
MA: 47.3%
24%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.9%±1.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.2%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.4%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
Millis and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$155,996±$9k
50% above MA
$200,720±$22kHighest
93% above MA
$67,475±$15kLowest
35% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$603,500±$31k
7% above MA
$725,200±$34kHighest
29% above MA
$289,700±$28kLowest
48% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,696±$279
4% below MA
$2,019±$598Highest
15% above MA
$1,043±$109Lowest
41% below MA
Norfolk and Millis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,344
56% above MA
$9,651Highest
61% above MA
$4,237Lowest
29% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.5%±16.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.1%±16
MA: 51.8%
64.3%±16.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Ware and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%
MA: 10%
2.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
11.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.2%
MA: 62.5%
94.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
72.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
5% above MA
36 minHighest
24% above MA
28 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
17.5%±4.2
MA: 18.6%
32.6%±5.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
12.3%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #63 of 282 in MA #123 of 282 in MA #267 of 282 in MA
School district Millis King Philip · Millis Ware
High school in town Millis High School None in town Ware Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Lowest
—
11.1Highest
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.