Compare towns

Charleston vs Mapleton vs Union

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Charleston has the oldest population (median age 58.4).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Union has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).

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.

MeasureCharlestonMapletonUnion
People
Population
936Lowest
1,884
2,663Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
58.4±9.3Highest
50% above U.S.
41.8±6
7% above U.S.
41.6±5.3Lowest
7% above U.S.
Kids under 18
11.2%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
24.9%±4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Union and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
37.7%±8.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.4%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
13.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
34.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Mapleton and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$49,286±$17kLowest
39% below U.S.
$91,731±$25kHighest
14% above U.S.
$80,724±$9k
about the U.S. average
Mapleton and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$238,000±$53k
28% below U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$267,600±$42kHighest
20% below U.S.
Union and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$979±$444
31% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$1,179±$452Highest
17% below U.S.
Union and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,750Highest
20% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$3,276
5% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
32.7%±26.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
24.6%±19.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Charleston and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
28 min
5% above U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
Work from home
18.7%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.9%±5.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Charleston and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Charleston School District RSU 79/MSAD 01 RSU 40/MSAD 40
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.