Compare towns
Dresden vs Jackson vs Alna
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dresden has the most affordable homes ($240k median).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Alna has the most kids (32.9% 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.
| Measure | Dresden | Jackson | Alna |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,645Highest |
897 |
818Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+26%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.1±7.9 42% above U.S. |
60.5±2.5Highest 56% above U.S. |
40.7±10.5Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Jackson and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
4.1%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
32.9%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±8 U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±6.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.4%±5.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jackson and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
67.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
41.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,844±$22kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$117,986±$46kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$93,125±$16k 15% above U.S. |
| Jackson and Alna are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $240,100±$29kLowest 28% below U.S. |
$719,300±$109kHighest 116% above U.S. |
$367,400±$55k 10% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,194±$502 15% below U.S. |
$1,750±$1kHighest 24% above U.S. |
$1,088±$176Lowest 23% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,500Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$6,001Highest 92% above U.S. |
$3,667 18% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 13.2%±26Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
21.1%±59.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.9%±70.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Alna and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
16.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1978Lowest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 25% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 30% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 6.7%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.2%±10.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jackson and Alna are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | RSU 02 | Jackson School District | — |
| 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.