Compare towns

Newfane vs Townsend vs Dummerston

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
Townsend has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.3%).
Dummerston has the shortest commute (21 min average).

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.

MeasureNewfaneTownsendDummerston
People
Population
1,456Lowest
9,100Highest
2,090
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.4±3.9Highest
40% above U.S.
40.9±3.3Lowest
5% above U.S.
45.6±11.7
17% above U.S.
Newfane and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.1%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21%±3.2
U.S.: 22%
21.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Dummerston and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.2%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.1%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
24.3%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
Newfane and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
35.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
58.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Townsend and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,719±$21kLowest
17% below U.S.
$121,528±$23kHighest
51% above U.S.
$101,696±$21k
26% above U.S.
Townsend and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$284,200±$49kLowest
15% below U.S.
$433,200±$22kHighest
30% above U.S.
$335,300±$22k
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,266±$238Lowest
10% below U.S.
$1,469±$313Highest
4% above U.S.
$1,392±$126
about the U.S. average
Townsend and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,174
66% above U.S.
$6,031Highest
93% above U.S.
$4,536Lowest
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.9%±79.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
50.6%±16.8
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±32.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Newfane and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
4.5%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
82%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
37 minHighest
41% above U.S.
21 minLowest
21% below U.S.
Work from home
30.8%±12.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.5%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
25.9%±10.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfane and Dummerston 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 — #136 of 282 in MA —
School district West River Valley Union Education District #72A North Middlesex Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
High school in town None in town North Middlesex Regional None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.1
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.