What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danforth has the oldest population (median age 53.1).

Merrill has the most kids (41.7% 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Danforth	Merrill
People
Population	666Highest	372Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-0.3% ME: +2.6%	—
Median age	53.1±4.4Highest 19% above ME	33.2±9.9Lowest 26% below ME
Kids under 18	13.4%±4.3Lowest ME: 18.1%	41.7%±11Highest ME: 18.1%
Age 65+	26.1%±3.7Highest ME: 22.4%	14%±5.8Lowest ME: 22.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	9%Lowest ME: 36.2%	22.3%Highest ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.7%±2Highest ME: 5.8%	0.3%±3.1Lowest ME: 5.8%
	Danforth and Merrill are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$48,125±$8kLowest 36% below ME	$65,536±$8kHighest 12% below ME
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$89,900±$36kLowest 70% below ME	$131,600±$21kHighest 56% below ME
	Merrill and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$629±$29 45% below ME	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$1,270Lowest 58% below ME	$1,449Highest 52% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	36.1%±57.5Lowest ME: 48.4%	60%±100Highest ME: 48.4%
	Merrill and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	13.9%Highest ME: 10.7%	5.6%Lowest ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	81.6%Lowest ME: 74.3%	91.2%Highest ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1987 10 yrs newer than ME	1987 10 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	28 minLowest 15% above ME	29 minHighest 19% above ME
Work from home	5.8%±3.4Lowest ME: 15.9%	13.2%±6.6Highest ME: 15.9%
	Merrill and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.