Compare towns
Ashland vs Chapman vs Lowell vs Mapleton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashland has the most affordable homes ($125k median).
Chapman has the most kids (27.6% under 18).
Lowell has the most expensive homes ($210k median).
Mapleton has the youngest population (median age 41.8).
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 | Ashland | Chapman | Lowell | Mapleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,080 |
388 |
378Lowest |
1,884Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.7%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
— | — | -3.2%Highest ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 53.4±9.1 19% above ME |
45.7±11.4 about the ME average |
55.5±8.6Highest 24% above ME |
41.8±6Lowest 7% below ME |
| Lowell and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.3%±3.8 ME: 18.1% |
27.6%±5.9Highest ME: 18.1% |
13.2%±4.4Lowest ME: 18.1% |
22.2%±5.1 ME: 18.1% |
| Chapman and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 32.2%±8Highest ME: 22.4% |
27.6%±3.8 ME: 22.4% |
31.2%±4.7 ME: 22.4% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest ME: 22.4% |
| Ashland and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 13.8%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
22.8% ME: 36.2% |
30% ME: 36.2% |
34.3%Highest ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.3 ME: 5.8% |
5.2%±2.6Highest ME: 5.8% |
1.9%±1.9Lowest ME: 5.8% |
5%±2.9 ME: 5.8% |
| Chapman and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $46,838±$15kLowest 37% below ME |
$93,125±$17kHighest 25% above ME |
$50,833±$31k 32% below ME |
$91,731±$25k 23% above ME |
| Chapman and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $125,000±$49kLowest 58% below ME |
$185,700±$22k 37% below ME |
$209,700±$30kHighest 29% below ME |
$191,800±$23k 35% below ME |
| Lowell and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | — | $610±$277 46% below ME |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,511 50% below ME |
$1,850Highest 39% below ME |
$1,478Lowest 51% below ME |
$1,789 41% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.7%±27.5 ME: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest ME: 48.4% |
80%±100Highest ME: 48.4% |
16.7%±10.5 ME: 48.4% |
| Lowell and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 23.6%Highest ME: 10.7% |
6.4%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
10.8% ME: 10.7% |
8.9% ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 66.1%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
94.5%Highest ME: 74.3% |
88.5% ME: 74.3% |
79.9% ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Lowest 4 yrs older than ME |
1982 5 yrs newer than ME |
1990Highest 13 yrs newer than ME |
1977 same as ME |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 14% below ME |
23 min 6% below ME |
31 minHighest 24% above ME |
28 min 13% above ME |
| Work from home | 4.7%±2.7Lowest ME: 15.9% |
4.8%±3.5 ME: 15.9% |
10.8%±5.7Highest ME: 15.9% |
10.8%±3.8Highest ME: 15.9% |
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | — | — | RSU 79/MSAD 01 |
| High school in town | — | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.