Compare towns
Acton vs Dorset vs Lyman
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Lyman has the oldest population (median age 53.8).
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 | Dorset | Lyman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,721 |
2,092Lowest |
4,612Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.9±4.2 36% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S. |
53.8±2Highest 38% above U.S. |
| Lyman and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.2%±4 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.2%±4.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.1%±6.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Acton and Lyman 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% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
25.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.3%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Acton and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$87,284±$14k 8% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $334,300±$34kLowest about the U.S. average |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$360,400±$44k 8% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,063±$522Lowest 25% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,680Lowest 14% below U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$2,717 13% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
37.7%±44.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
33 min 26% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.2%±8.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.9%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Lyman 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 | — | #40 of 133 in ME |
| School district | Acton Public Schools | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | RSU 57/MSAD 57 |
| High school in town | None 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.