Compare towns

Danforth vs Wayne vs Phillips vs Island Falls

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danforth has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.3%).
Wayne has the most expensive homes ($363k median).
Phillips has the youngest population (median age 49.7).
Island Falls has the shortest commute (21 min average).

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.

MeasureDanforthWaynePhillipsIsland Falls
People
Population
666Lowest
1,101Highest
1,094
768
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.3%Highest
ME: +2.6%
-5%
ME: +2.6%
-12.6%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
-9.4%
ME: +2.6%
Median age
53.1±4.4
19% above ME
55.6±5.3Highest
24% above ME
49.7±3.7Lowest
11% above ME
50.7±10.6
13% above ME
Wayne and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.4%±4.3Lowest
ME: 18.1%
13.4%±3.9Lowest
ME: 18.1%
20.7%±5.1Highest
ME: 18.1%
20.7%±7.1Highest
ME: 18.1%
Age 65+
26.1%±3.7
ME: 22.4%
29.2%±3.8Highest
ME: 22.4%
21.3%±2.1Lowest
ME: 22.4%
26.3%±2.1
ME: 22.4%
Wayne and Island Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
9%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
48.8%Highest
ME: 36.2%
20.7%
ME: 36.2%
12.9%
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.7%±2Lowest
ME: 5.8%
6.5%±2.8Highest
ME: 5.8%
3.9%±2.6
ME: 5.8%
3.3%±2.2
ME: 5.8%
Wayne and Phillips are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$48,125±$8k
36% below ME
$93,194±$26kHighest
25% above ME
$45,385±$12kLowest
39% below ME
$56,328±$8k
25% below ME
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$89,900±$36kLowest
70% below ME
$362,800±$29kHighest
22% above ME
$190,800±$18k
36% below ME
$108,300±$25k
63% below ME
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$629±$29
45% below ME
$983±$554Highest
14% below ME
$483±$377Lowest
58% below ME
$636±$124
44% below ME
Wayne and Island Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,270Lowest
58% below ME
$3,289Highest
8% above ME
$2,582
15% below ME
$1,720
43% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
36.1%±57.5
ME: 48.4%
25%±52.1
ME: 48.4%
40.4%±33Highest
ME: 48.4%
17.9%±51.5Lowest
ME: 48.4%
Phillips and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.9%
ME: 10.7%
7.9%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
17.7%
ME: 10.7%
20.7%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.6%
ME: 74.3%
89.9%Highest
ME: 74.3%
83.3%
ME: 74.3%
79.6%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987Highest
10 yrs newer than ME
1980
3 yrs newer than ME
1974
3 yrs older than ME
1960Lowest
17 yrs older than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
15% above ME
30 minHighest
24% above ME
23 min
8% below ME
21 minLowest
16% below ME
Work from home
5.8%±3.4Lowest
ME: 15.9%
26.2%±11.7Highest
ME: 15.9%
16.8%±7
ME: 15.9%
6.7%±5.4
ME: 15.9%
Wayne and Phillips are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — RSU 38 RSU 58/MSAD 58 —
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.