Population 11,039 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Dartmouth
Household size in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.54 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.49 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.05 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
South Dartmouth is a place of small households, averaging 2.34 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.39, as it has nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.9 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.7 | 40.5 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 52.1 | 41.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 52.0 | 41.7 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 52.0, South Dartmouth is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 48.9, as it has nationally. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 12.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 11.9% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 12.1% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in South Dartmouth: 5.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. South Dartmouth has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in South Dartmouth
Renters in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 37.0% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 39.0% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 38.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.1% | 36.8% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a quarter of households in South Dartmouth rent their homes (27.1%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 39.8% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the west. The renter share has risen 7.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 10.3% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 10.5% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 10.7% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.7% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in South Dartmouth: 11.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.7 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1959 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1960 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1962 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | −2 | +3 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in South Dartmouth is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1963, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The Providence area as a whole looks much the same. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,056 | $928 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,009 | $974 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,179 | $1,103 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,640 | $1,439 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$584 | +$511 | +$775 | +$606 |
A typical rental in South Dartmouth costs $1,640 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in the Providence area as a whole ($1,439). Rent has climbed $584 a month since 2006–10, up 55%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in South Dartmouth
Bachelor's degrees in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.9% | 28.5% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.4% | 29.6% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.3% | 32.4% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 44.7% | 35.2% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.8 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than four in ten adults 25 and older in South Dartmouth (44.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.1% | 82.1% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.4% | 83.9% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.6% | 87.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.9% | 88.3% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in South Dartmouth is close to the national rate: 88.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. South Dartmouth has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in South Dartmouth
| Period | South Dartmouth | Providence area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 8.5% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 10.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 5.5% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 5.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Dartmouth has been low: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
South Dartmouth compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dartmouth | 2.34 | 52.0 | 5.4% | 27.1% | 11.7% | 1963 | $1,640 | 44.7% | 88.9% | 2.8% |
| Smith Mills | 2.30 | 46.5 | 5.3% | 21.0% | 1.9% | 1970 | $842 | 36.5% | 86.6% | 6.2% |
| Head of Westport | 2.51 | 33.0 | 3.9% | 15.8% | 5.9% | 1977 | $1,600 | 30.7% | 86.3% | 7.5% |
| New Bedford | 2.42 | 37.7 | 18.9% | 59.8% | 6.3% | 1948 | $1,175 | 16.4% | 75.7% | 8.2% |
| North Dartmouth | 2.52 | 39.4 | 6.9% | 24.1% | 5.0% | 1983 | $1,380 | 36.1% | 87.0% | 4.5% |
| Dartmouth | 2.65 | 51.1 | 4.8% | 5.3% | 12.4% | 1977 | $1,685 | 43.4% | 87.4% | 2.3% |
| Cow Yard | 2.30 | 57.2 | 4.9% | 5.8% | 20.6% | 1976 | $1,759 | 57.9% | 98.0% | 0.0% |
| Fairhaven | 2.31 | 48.2 | 8.5% | 25.6% | 8.8% | 1957 | $1,253 | 32.1% | 92.8% | 5.9% |
| South Westport | 2.21 | 59.8 | 7.5% | 14.2% | 28.4% | 1979 | $1,481 | 41.7% | 93.5% | 4.3% |
| Silver Shell Beach | 2.25 | 59.9 | 16.3% | 14.7% | 35.0% | 1972 | $1,645 | 41.7% | 98.3% | 6.2% |
| Kempton Croft | 3.02 | 42.3 | 2.3% | 2.7% | 4.0% | 1994 | $955 | 41.4% | 88.4% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Destrehan, LA · Conway, FL · Corryton, TN · Cotati, CA · Cottage Grove, WI · Cottonwood, AZ · Countryside, VA · Craig, CO · Cranbury, NJ · Crestline, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up South Dartmouth. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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