Compare towns

China vs Mapleton vs Wheelock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

China has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.8%).
Mapleton has the most renters (20.1% rent).
Wheelock has the most people working from home (21.1%).

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.

MeasureChinaMapletonWheelock
People
Population
4,526Highest
1,884
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.9±5.9Lowest
5% above U.S.
41.8±6
7% above U.S.
51±5.6Highest
31% above U.S.
Wheelock 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
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.8%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
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
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.4%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Wheelock 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%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
34.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
Mapleton and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,309±$12kHighest
19% above U.S.
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below U.S.
China and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$240,000±$37kHighest
28% below U.S.
$191,800±$23k
42% below U.S.
$189,600±$37kLowest
43% below U.S.
China and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$610±$277
57% below U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,535
19% below U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$2,937Highest
6% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
10.6%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Mapleton and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
97.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
13% above U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
28 minLowest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
12.6%±4.6
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.1%±16Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Wheelock 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

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.