Compare towns
Pepperell vs Dover vs Hanson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Hanson has the most expensive homes ($534k 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 | Pepperell | Dover | Hanson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,663 |
33,364Highest |
10,660Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 9% above U.S. |
36.9±1.9Lowest 5% below U.S. |
42.8±3Highest 10% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.1%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
16.9%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.6%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.8%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
52%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±1.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dover and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $124,073±$12k 54% above U.S. |
$94,829±$7kLowest 17% above U.S. |
$132,200±$10kHighest 64% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14k 45% above U.S. |
$436,700±$20kLowest 31% above U.S. |
$533,900±$36kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238Lowest 8% below U.S. |
$1,607±$100 14% above U.S. |
$1,821±$860Highest 29% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,698 115% above U.S. |
$8,249Highest 164% above U.S. |
$6,402Lowest 105% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.6%±6.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
69%±33.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hanson and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
52.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
89%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 14% below U.S. |
34 min 27% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.6%±2.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dover and Pepperell 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 | #153 of 282 in MA | #64 of 120 in NH | #149 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Dover School District | Whitman-Hanson |
| High school in town | None in town | Dover Senior High School | Whitman Hanson Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.7Lowest |
14.7Highest |
| 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.