Compare towns

China vs Exeter vs Limerick vs Mapleton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Exeter has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Limerick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Mapleton has the most renters (20.1% rent).

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.

MeasureChinaExeterLimerickMapleton
People
Population
4,526Highest
1,093Lowest
3,400
1,884
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.8%
ME: +2.6%
-11.8%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
+10.2%Highest
ME: +2.6%
-3.2%
ME: +2.6%
Median age
40.9±5.9
9% below ME
52.6±7.7Highest
17% above ME
40.4±9.2Lowest
10% below ME
41.8±6
7% below ME
Exeter and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±5.1
ME: 18.1%
9%±3.1Lowest
ME: 18.1%
18.7%±5.5
ME: 18.1%
22.2%±5.1Highest
ME: 18.1%
Mapleton and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.4%±4.4
ME: 22.4%
23.9%±11.4Highest
ME: 22.4%
17.1%±3.6Lowest
ME: 22.4%
18.3%±3.1
ME: 22.4%
Exeter and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.9%
ME: 36.2%
15%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
27.5%
ME: 36.2%
34.3%Highest
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±1.6
ME: 5.8%
3.4%±2.1
ME: 5.8%
2.4%±2.2Lowest
ME: 5.8%
5%±2.9Highest
ME: 5.8%
Mapleton and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,309±$12k
29% above ME
$84,408±$12kLowest
13% above ME
$101,172±$15kHighest
35% above ME
$91,731±$25k
23% above ME
Limerick and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$240,000±$37k
19% below ME
$166,700±$39kLowest
44% below ME
$269,400±$29kHighest
9% below ME
$191,800±$23k
35% below ME
Limerick and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$995±$386
13% below ME
$1,758±$407Highest
54% above ME
$610±$277Lowest
46% below ME
Limerick and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,535Highest
17% below ME
$1,602Lowest
47% below ME
$2,520
17% below ME
$1,789
41% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
10.6%±25.1Lowest
ME: 48.4%
33.3%±73.8
ME: 48.4%
38.8%±14.2Highest
ME: 48.4%
16.7%±10.5
ME: 48.4%
Limerick and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
8.1%
ME: 10.7%
6.9%
ME: 10.7%
8.9%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.8%
ME: 74.3%
93.1%Highest
ME: 74.3%
89.8%
ME: 74.3%
79.9%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
4 yrs newer than ME
1991
14 yrs newer than ME
1994Highest
17 yrs newer than ME
1977Lowest
same as ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
21% above ME
35 min
43% above ME
38 minHighest
53% above ME
28 minLowest
13% above ME
Work from home
12.6%±4.6
ME: 15.9%
10.3%±5.7Lowest
ME: 15.9%
15.2%±6.7Highest
ME: 15.9%
10.8%±3.8
ME: 15.9%
Limerick and China 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 #27 of 133 in ME — — —
School district RSU 18 — — RSU 79/MSAD 01
High school in town None in town — — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.