Compare towns

Appleton vs Clifton vs Denmark

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Appleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Clifton has the most affordable homes ($203k median).
Denmark has the most people working from home (12.7%).

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.

MeasureAppletonCliftonDenmark
People
Population
1,360Highest
1,111
1,054Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.2%Highest
ME: +2.6%
-8.8%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
+4.3%
ME: +2.6%
Median age
49.2±7.4Lowest
10% above ME
52.7±7.1
18% above ME
54.4±5Highest
21% above ME
Denmark and Clifton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.3%±2.7Lowest
ME: 18.1%
16%±7.1Highest
ME: 18.1%
15.6%±3.3
ME: 18.1%
Clifton and Denmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±9.3
ME: 22.4%
21.2%±7.1Lowest
ME: 22.4%
31.8%±7.4Highest
ME: 22.4%
Denmark 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%Highest
ME: 36.2%
26.1%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
29.8%
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.4Lowest
ME: 5.8%
8.6%±8.5Highest
ME: 5.8%
4.1%±2
ME: 5.8%
Clifton and Denmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,618±$19kLowest
28% below ME
$70,313±$16kHighest
6% below ME
$64,167±$10k
14% below ME
Clifton and Denmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$235,600±$33k
21% below ME
$202,500±$67kLowest
32% below ME
$250,000±$68kHighest
16% below ME
Denmark and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,104±$82Lowest
3% below ME
$1,217±$624
7% above ME
$1,409±$207Highest
24% above ME
Denmark and Clifton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,588Highest
18% above ME
$1,838Lowest
39% below ME
$2,259
26% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±100
ME: 48.4%
81.3%±100Lowest
ME: 48.4%
90.6%±31Highest
ME: 48.4%
Denmark and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.7%Highest
ME: 10.7%
9.2%
ME: 10.7%
8.9%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.6%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
87.5%
ME: 74.3%
92.7%Highest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
11 yrs newer than ME
1982
5 yrs newer than ME
1980Lowest
3 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
23% above ME
29 minLowest
19% above ME
34 minHighest
39% above ME
Work from home
11.1%±3.5
ME: 15.9%
9.1%±3.4Lowest
ME: 15.9%
12.7%±6.4Highest
ME: 15.9%
Denmark and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Appleton Public Schools — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

ME 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.