Compare towns

Appleton vs Ascutney vs Hope vs Mapleton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ascutney has the oldest population (median age 64.4).
Hope has the most expensive homes ($373k median).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).

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.

MeasureAppletonAscutneyHopeMapleton
People
Population
1,360
381Lowest
1,748
1,884Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
49.2±7.4
26% above U.S.
64.4±7.3Highest
66% above U.S.
44.6±3.1
15% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
Kids under 18
15.3%±2.7
U.S.: 22%
10.2%±10.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.3%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
Hope and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±9.3
U.S.: 17.2%
44.9%±15Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.1%±1.3
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ascutney and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
47.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Mapleton and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,618±$19k
34% below U.S.
$53,269±$46kLowest
34% below U.S.
$86,766±$6k
7% above U.S.
$91,731±$25kHighest
14% above U.S.
Mapleton and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$235,600±$33k
29% below U.S.
$218,800±$91k
34% below U.S.
$373,400±$33kHighest
12% above U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,104±$82
22% below U.S.
—
$1,219±$182Highest
14% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
Hope and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,588
15% above U.S.
$3,429
10% above U.S.
$3,842Highest
23% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
—
37.8%±38.7
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Appleton and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
0.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
100%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
16 minLowest
40% below U.S.
20 min
25% below U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
Work from home
11.1%±3.5
U.S.: 15.1%
17.5%±24.4
U.S.: 15.1%
18.3%±10.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hope and Ascutney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Appleton Public Schools — Hope Public Schools RSU 79/MSAD 01
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 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.