Compare towns
Wendell vs Dudley vs Erving
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wendell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
Dudley has the most expensive homes ($393k median).
Erving has the most affordable homes ($272k 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 | Wendell | Dudley | Erving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 850Lowest |
11,929Highest |
1,703 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.7% MA: +7.4% |
-7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.1±8.8Highest 18% above MA |
40.2±2.4Lowest about the MA average |
43.3±2.4 8% above MA |
| Wendell and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.6%±3.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.3%±3.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Dudley and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±5.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.9%±3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.4 MA: 17.9% |
| Wendell and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 51.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
24.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.9 MA: 7.9% |
13.1%±2Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $65,288±$14kLowest 37% below MA |
$84,604±$12kHighest 19% below MA |
$77,656±$9k 25% below MA |
| Dudley and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $290,300±$31k 48% below MA |
$392,600±$19kHighest 30% below MA |
$271,800±$20kLowest 52% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,239±$519Highest 30% below MA |
$1,217±$182 31% below MA |
$1,163±$213Lowest 34% below MA |
| Wendell and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,519Highest 25% below MA |
$3,691 38% below MA |
$1,870Lowest 69% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.6%±40.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
47.4%±4.1 MA: 51.8% |
46.5%±23Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Wendell and Dudley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 21.3%Highest MA: 10% |
6.4% MA: 10% |
5.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.5% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 13% above MA |
27 minLowest 6% below MA |
28 min 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 16.8%±7.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
9.1%±2.5 MA: 18.6% |
3.6%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Wendell and Dudley 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 | — | #142 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | New Salem-Wendell | Dudley-Charlton Reg | Erving |
| High school in town | None in town | Shepherd Hill Regional High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 14.3 |
— |
| 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.