Compare towns
Appleton vs Dresden vs Mapleton vs Washburn
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%).
Dresden has the oldest population (median age 55.1).
Mapleton has the highest household income ($92k).
Washburn has the most affordable homes ($113k 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.
| Measure | Appleton | Dresden | Mapleton | Washburn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,360 |
1,645 |
1,884Highest |
1,355Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest ME: +2.6% |
+3.2% ME: +2.6% |
-3.2% ME: +2.6% |
-9.5%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4 10% above ME |
55.1±7.9Highest 23% above ME |
41.8±6Lowest 7% below ME |
48.2±7.7 8% above ME |
| Dresden and Appleton 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% |
17%±3.4 ME: 18.1% |
22.2%±5.1Highest ME: 18.1% |
21.7%±3.5 ME: 18.1% |
| Mapleton and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±9.3Highest ME: 22.4% |
24.8%±8 ME: 22.4% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest ME: 22.4% |
24%±3.7 ME: 22.4% |
| Appleton and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.1% ME: 36.2% |
30.5% ME: 36.2% |
34.3%Highest ME: 36.2% |
26%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4 ME: 5.8% |
3%±1.9Lowest ME: 5.8% |
5%±2.9Highest ME: 5.8% |
3.6%±1.4 ME: 5.8% |
| 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±$19kLowest 28% below ME |
$74,844±$22k about the ME average |
$91,731±$25kHighest 23% above ME |
$56,196±$6k 25% below ME |
| Mapleton and Dresden 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 |
$240,100±$29kHighest 19% below ME |
$191,800±$23k 35% below ME |
$112,900±$14kLowest 62% below ME |
| Dresden and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82 3% below ME |
$1,194±$502Highest 5% above ME |
$610±$277 46% below ME |
$482±$62Lowest 58% below ME |
| Dresden and Appleton 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 |
$2,500 18% below ME |
$1,789 41% below ME |
$1,571Lowest 48% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest ME: 48.4% |
13.2%±26Lowest ME: 48.4% |
16.7%±10.5 ME: 48.4% |
33.3%±24.7 ME: 48.4% |
| Appleton and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.7% ME: 10.7% |
9.3% ME: 10.7% |
8.9%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
12.7%Highest ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6% ME: 74.3% |
88.2%Highest ME: 74.3% |
79.9% ME: 74.3% |
78.2%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 11 yrs newer than ME |
1985 8 yrs newer than ME |
1977 same as ME |
1969Lowest 8 yrs older than ME |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 23% above ME |
33 minHighest 35% above ME |
28 min 13% above ME |
21 minLowest 15% below ME |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5Highest ME: 15.9% |
6.7%±2.8Lowest ME: 15.9% |
10.8%±3.8 ME: 15.9% |
9.7%±3.9 ME: 15.9% |
| Appleton and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | RSU 02 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 45/MSAD 45 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Washburn District High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 12.0 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.