Compare towns

Windsor vs Dover vs Plainfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windsor has the youngest population (median age 44.8).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.3%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k 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.

MeasureWindsorDoverPlainfield
People
Population
1,065
2,308Highest
616Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-7.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.3%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.8±6.4Lowest
12% above MA
47.5±4
19% above MA
50.6±9.5Highest
27% above MA
Plainfield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
19%±9.3
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.6%±4.9
MA: 17.9%
15.5%±3.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
29.5%±7.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Plainfield and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
83.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
52.6%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.4%±4.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.5
MA: 7.9%
Dover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$115,563±$10k
11% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$63,500±$14kLowest
39% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$389,700±$32k
31% below MA
$1,308,300±$149kHighest
133% above MA
$309,000±$47kLowest
45% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly — —
$1,292±$558
27% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,867Lowest
35% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,458
26% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
40%±100
MA: 51.8%
Dover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
MA: 10%
3.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
16.9%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.9%
MA: 62.5%
98%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 min
27% above MA
37 minLowest
26% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
Work from home
21.2%±5.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
37.4%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
26.2%±8.8
MA: 18.6%
Dover and Plainfield 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 —
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.