Compare towns

Acton vs Hampton Beach vs Minot

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 most homeowners (96.1%).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Minot has the most kids (16.4% under 18).

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.

MeasureActonHampton BeachMinot
People
Population
2,721
2,605Lowest
2,794Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+14.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
52.9±4.2
36% above U.S.
60.4±2.4Highest
55% above U.S.
49±6.1Lowest
26% above U.S.
Kids under 18
13.1%±4
U.S.: 22%
3.1%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16.4%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Minot 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%
33.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton Beach 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%
34%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
25.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
0.6%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Minot and Acton 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
$82,557±$17k
about the U.S. average
$95,655±$17kHighest
18% above U.S.
Minot and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$334,300±$34k
about the U.S. average
$508,900±$76kHighest
53% above U.S.
$294,900±$26kLowest
11% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,375±$130Highest
about the U.S. average
$878±$801Lowest
38% below U.S.
Hampton Beach and Minot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,680
14% below U.S.
$6,115Highest
96% above U.S.
$2,602Lowest
17% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
61.7%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
35.7%±40.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Acton and Hampton Beach 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%
8.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
62.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
6 yrs older than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1994Highest
14 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
40 minHighest
53% above U.S.
25 min
4% below U.S.
25 minLowest
6% below U.S.
Work from home
18.2%±8.5
U.S.: 15.1%
26.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.8%±5.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton Beach 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 — #78 of 133 in ME
School district Acton Public Schools — RSU 16
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.