Compare towns
Acton vs Brookline vs Ripton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Acton has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Brookline has the most kids (20% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
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 | Acton | Brookline | Ripton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,721Highest |
531 |
508Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+25.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.9±4.2Highest 36% above U.S. |
45.1±2.7Lowest 16% above U.S. |
47.7±14.2 23% above U.S. |
| Acton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.1%±4 U.S.: 22% |
20%±6Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Brookline and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.2%±4.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.5%±7.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ripton and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
41.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
48%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.2%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
20.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average |
$80,833±$16k about the U.S. average |
$112,917±$15kHighest 40% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $334,300±$34k about the U.S. average |
$290,700±$37kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$394,400±$61kHighest 19% above U.S. |
| Ripton and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,732±$232 23% above U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,680Lowest 14% below U.S. |
$5,000Highest 60% above U.S. |
$4,915 58% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.8%±94.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.9%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1973Lowest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.2%±8.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
20.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.2%±8.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Brookline and Acton 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 | #43 of 133 in ME | — | — |
| School district | Acton Public Schools | — | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| 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.