Compare towns
Topsfield vs Dover vs Norwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Topsfield has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1340k median).
Norwell has the most kids (28.5% under 18).
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 | Topsfield | Dover | Norwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 6,564 |
5,930Lowest |
11,361Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.2±1.8 6% above MA |
44.9±2.3Highest 12% above MA |
39.2±1.4Lowest about the MA average |
| Dover and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24.8%±4.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Norwell and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.4%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
16.1%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Topsfield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 71.8% MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
69.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Norwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $195,718±$16k 88% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$188,699±$25kLowest 82% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $853,400±$40kLowest 52% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$865,700±$35k 54% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,115±$538Lowest 37% below MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$2,215±$336 26% above MA |
| Dover and Norwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±40.8 MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
67.1%±24.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Norwell and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.5%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
91.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 5 yrs newer than MA |
1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA |
1968Lowest 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
35 minHighest 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 29.4%±8.1 MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
27.1%±4.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Topsfield 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 | #172 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #80 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Topsfield | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | Norwell |
| High school in town | None in town | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | Norwell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8Lowest |
11.7Highest |
| 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.