Compare towns

Augusta vs Barnet vs Presque Isle

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Augusta has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.2%).
Barnet has the most homeowners (79.9%).
Presque Isle has the most affordable homes ($147k 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.

MeasureAugustaBarnetPresque Isle
People
Population
19,077Highest
1,855Lowest
8,736
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-9.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.5±2.4Lowest
9% above U.S.
47.7±5.3Highest
23% above U.S.
44.1±3.5
13% above U.S.
Barnet and Presque Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.9%±2.6
U.S.: 22%
21.6%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
18%±3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Barnet and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.8%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.6%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
Barnet and Presque Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
35.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
26.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.5%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$47,979±$3kLowest
41% below U.S.
$67,386±$15kHighest
17% below U.S.
$55,768±$6k
31% below U.S.
Barnet and Presque Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$201,000±$18k
40% below U.S.
$247,900±$24kHighest
25% below U.S.
$147,200±$11kLowest
56% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$919±$79
35% below U.S.
$974±$72Highest
31% below U.S.
$904±$54Lowest
36% below U.S.
Barnet and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,465
21% below U.S.
$4,489Highest
44% above U.S.
$2,401Lowest
23% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.2%±8.3
U.S.: 51.1%
59.3%±29.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
47.3%±9.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Barnet and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
15.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
53.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
57.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1965Lowest
15 yrs older than U.S.
1974Highest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1971
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 min
29% below U.S.
28 minHighest
5% above U.S.
14 minLowest
45% below U.S.
Work from home
15.1%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.3%±4.5
U.S.: 15.1%
6.7%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Augusta and Barnet 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 #119 of 133 in ME — #62 of 133 in ME
School district Augusta Public Schools · Maine Arts Academy Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 RSU 79/MSAD 01
High school in town Cony None in town Presque Isle High School
Students per teacherat that high school
17.9Highest
—
13.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.