Compare towns
Appleton vs Levant vs Mapleton vs Mechanic Falls
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%).
Levant has the youngest population (median age 39.7).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Mechanic Falls has the most kids (24.1% 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 | Appleton | Levant | Mapleton | Mechanic Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,360Lowest |
3,069 |
1,884 |
3,134Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest ME: +2.6% |
+3.1% ME: +2.6% |
-3.2%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
+2.5% ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4Highest 10% above ME |
39.7±2.2Lowest 11% below ME |
41.8±6 7% below ME |
39.8±4.7 11% below ME |
| Appleton and Mapleton 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% |
19.8%±4.8 ME: 18.1% |
22.2%±5.1 ME: 18.1% |
24.1%±7.1Highest ME: 18.1% |
| Mechanic Falls and Mapleton 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% |
18.1%±4.9 ME: 22.4% |
18.3%±3.1 ME: 22.4% |
16.4%±6Lowest ME: 22.4% |
| Appleton and Mapleton 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% |
21.6% ME: 36.2% |
34.3%Highest ME: 36.2% |
15.6%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4 ME: 5.8% |
2.2%±2.8 ME: 5.8% |
5%±2.9Highest ME: 5.8% |
2%±2.4Lowest 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 |
$86,071±$22k 15% above ME |
$91,731±$25kHighest 23% above ME |
$69,914±$12k 6% below ME |
| Mapleton and Levant 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 |
$268,500±$27k 9% below ME |
$191,800±$23kLowest 35% below ME |
$270,900±$44kHighest 9% below ME |
| Mechanic Falls and Levant 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 |
$1,370±$120Highest 20% above ME |
$610±$277Lowest 46% below ME |
$1,076±$208 6% below ME |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Highest 18% above ME |
$2,580 15% below ME |
$1,789Lowest 41% below ME |
$2,993 about the ME average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest ME: 48.4% |
45.7%±14 ME: 48.4% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest ME: 48.4% |
42.9%±20.9 ME: 48.4% |
| Appleton and Levant 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% ME: 10.7% |
8.9%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
9.2% ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6%Highest ME: 74.3% |
81.4% ME: 74.3% |
79.9% ME: 74.3% |
79.8%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 11 yrs newer than ME |
1995Highest 18 yrs newer than ME |
1977Lowest same as ME |
1980 3 yrs newer than ME |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 23% above ME |
31 minHighest 27% above ME |
28 min 13% above ME |
26 minLowest 5% above ME |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5Highest ME: 15.9% |
6.9%±5.6Lowest ME: 15.9% |
10.8%±3.8 ME: 15.9% |
7.9%±4.9 ME: 15.9% |
| Appleton and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #124 of 133 in ME | — | #122 of 133 in ME |
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | RSU 87/MSAD 23 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 16 |
| High school in town | None 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 |
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.