Compare towns
Benton vs Exeter vs Stetson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benton has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Exeter has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Stetson has the most expensive homes ($206k 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 | Benton | Exeter | Stetson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,770Highest |
1,093Lowest |
1,151 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6%Highest ME: +2.6% |
-11.8%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
-1.3% ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 42.8±6 4% below ME |
52.6±7.7Highest 17% above ME |
42.2±5.1Lowest 6% below ME |
| Exeter and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.9%±4.8 ME: 18.1% |
9%±3.1Lowest ME: 18.1% |
22.4%±5.1Highest ME: 18.1% |
| Stetson and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21%±3.9 ME: 22.4% |
23.9%±11.4Highest ME: 22.4% |
14.2%±3.1Lowest ME: 22.4% |
| Exeter and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.2%Highest ME: 36.2% |
15%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
19.8% ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±1.8Lowest ME: 5.8% |
3.4%±2.1Highest ME: 5.8% |
3.4%±2Highest ME: 5.8% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $61,437±$5kLowest 18% below ME |
$84,408±$12kHighest 13% above ME |
$76,023±$28k about the ME average |
| Exeter and Stetson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $176,700±$23k 40% below ME |
$166,700±$39kLowest 44% below ME |
$205,700±$34kHighest 31% below ME |
| Stetson and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,110±$123Highest about the ME average |
$995±$386 13% below ME |
$800±$377Lowest 30% below ME |
| Benton and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,758 42% below ME |
$1,602Lowest 47% below ME |
$1,962Highest 35% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.7%±22.9 ME: 48.4% |
33.3%±73.8Lowest ME: 48.4% |
73.7%±42Highest ME: 48.4% |
| Stetson and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10% ME: 10.7% |
8.1%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
10.4%Highest ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.2%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
93.1%Highest ME: 74.3% |
87.9% ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 3 yrs newer than ME |
1991 14 yrs newer than ME |
1993Highest 16 yrs newer than ME |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 21% below ME |
35 minHighest 43% above ME |
32 min 29% above ME |
| Work from home | 6.7%±4.9Lowest ME: 15.9% |
10.3%±5.7 ME: 15.9% |
11%±5.6Highest ME: 15.9% |
| Stetson and Exeter 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 | #85 of 133 in ME | — | — |
| School district | RSU 49/MSAD 49 | — | — |
| 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.