Compare towns
Acton vs Worcester vs Shapleigh
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).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).
Shapleigh has the most kids (20.7% 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.
| Measure | Acton | Worcester | Shapleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,721 |
831Lowest |
2,976Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.9±4.2Highest 36% above U.S. |
47±2.7 21% above U.S. |
46.9±10Lowest 21% above U.S. |
| Acton and Worcester 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.7%±5.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Shapleigh and Acton 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% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.1%±4.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Acton and Shapleigh 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% |
53%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Worcester 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±$15k about the U.S. average |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$88,140±$9kHighest 9% above U.S. |
| Shapleigh and Acton 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$356,000±$21kHighest 7% above U.S. |
| Shapleigh and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,349±$133Highest 5% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,680 14% below U.S. |
$4,421Highest 42% above U.S. |
$2,603Lowest 17% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
27.3%±61.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Shapleigh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 9% above U.S. |
33 min 23% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.2%±8.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±6.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Worcester 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 | — | #76 of 133 in ME |
| School district | Acton Public Schools | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | 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.