Compare towns

Carmel vs Jackson vs Ogunquit vs Parsonsfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Carmel has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Jackson has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Parsonsfield has the most kids (25% 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.

MeasureCarmelJacksonOgunquitParsonsfield
People
Population
2,941Highest
897Lowest
1,379
1,715
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+26%
U.S.: +7.4%
+76.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
46.4±4.5
19% above U.S.
60.5±2.5
56% above U.S.
62.8±4.8Highest
61% above U.S.
44.3±5.9Lowest
14% above U.S.
Ogunquit and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
4.1%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
5.7%±3.2
U.S.: 22%
25%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Parsonsfield and Carmel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.5%±5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±6.4
U.S.: 17.2%
43.6%±10.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18%±3.6
U.S.: 17.2%
Ogunquit and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
17.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
67.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
63.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
21.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±3.4
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.1%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Ogunquit and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$82,188±$22k
about the U.S. average
$117,986±$46kHighest
46% above U.S.
$114,259±$56k
42% above U.S.
$72,045±$18kLowest
11% below U.S.
Jackson and Ogunquit are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$256,800±$37kLowest
23% below U.S.
$719,300±$109k
116% above U.S.
$875,700±$79kHighest
163% above U.S.
$272,100±$21k
18% below U.S.
Ogunquit and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,276±$187
10% below U.S.
$1,750±$1kHighest
24% above U.S.
—
$1,185±$312Lowest
16% below U.S.
Jackson and Carmel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,662
15% below U.S.
$6,001Highest
92% above U.S.
$4,473
43% above U.S.
$2,350Lowest
25% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±38.1
U.S.: 51.1%
21.1%±59.9
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±61.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
78.2%±35Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Parsonsfield and Carmel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
16.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
94.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1996Highest
16 yrs newer than U.S.
1980
same as U.S.
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
6% below U.S.
19 minLowest
30% below U.S.
26 min
about the U.S. average
48 minHighest
83% above U.S.
Work from home
6.5%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
22.2%±10.2
U.S.: 15.1%
43.3%±12.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
5.1%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Ogunquit and Jackson 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 #77 of 133 in ME — — —
School district RSU 87/MSAD 23 Jackson School District — —
High school in town None in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.