Compare towns
Washington vs Dover vs Wheelock
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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 | Washington | Dover | Wheelock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,056 |
5,930Highest |
717Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 36% above U.S. |
44.9±2.3Lowest 15% above U.S. |
51±5.6 31% above U.S. |
| Washington and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
26%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.7%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.4%±4.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
84.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.2%±2.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $66,103±$8k 18% below U.S. |
$250,001Highest 210% above U.S. |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37k 35% below U.S. |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 303% above U.S. |
$189,600±$37kLowest 43% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Lowest 30% below U.S. |
$2,917±$2kHighest 106% above U.S. |
— |
| Dover and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485 12% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$2,937Lowest 6% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
20%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Washington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 same as U.S. |
1970Lowest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 16% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
34.2%±6.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±16 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dover and Wheelock 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 | — | #1 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— |
| 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.