Compare towns
Spencer vs Dover vs Adams
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Spencer has the oldest population (median age 48.9).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1308k median).
Adams has the most affordable homes ($210k 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 | Spencer | Dover | Adams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 12,008Highest |
2,308Lowest |
8,074 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6% MA: +7.4% |
+8.3%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-3.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.9±6.8Highest 22% above MA |
47.5±4 19% above MA |
47.3±3.3Lowest 18% above MA |
| Spencer and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.4%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
20.9%±4.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
15.7%±3.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Dover and Spencer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
25.2%±3.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Spencer and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29.1% MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Spencer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,533±$11k 23% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$58,929±$6kLowest 43% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $382,000±$22k 32% below MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$209,900±$15kLowest 63% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,078±$161Highest 39% below MA |
— | $963±$74Lowest 45% below MA |
| Spencer and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,387 27% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$3,638Lowest 39% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 50.6%±10.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
62.1%±10.3 MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Adams are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11% MA: 10% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
13.2%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 63% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
62.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 18% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
24 minLowest 19% below MA |
| Work from home | 15%±7.3 MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #261 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #230 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Spencer-E Brookfield | — | Hoosac Valley Regional |
| High school in town | David Prouty High | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.9 |
— | — |
| 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.