Compare towns
Durham vs Lyndeborough vs Mapleton vs China
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Durham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
Lyndeborough has the most expensive homes ($391k median).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
China has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
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 | Durham | Lyndeborough | Mapleton | China |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,262 |
1,616Lowest |
1,884 |
4,526Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.9 10% above U.S. |
50±3.2Highest 29% above U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
40.9±5.9Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Lyndeborough and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.7%±4.6 U.S.: 22% |
14.9%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.4%±5.1 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+ | 16.6%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±1.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lyndeborough and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
40.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
31.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±3.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.7%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $99,181±$5k 23% above U.S. |
$116,964±$17kHighest 45% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kLowest 14% above U.S. |
$96,309±$12k 19% above U.S. |
| Lyndeborough and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $322,200±$34k 3% below U.S. |
$390,900±$26kHighest 17% above U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$240,000±$37k 28% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,482±$457Highest 5% above U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,781 21% above U.S. |
$7,133Highest 129% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$2,535 19% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25%±40.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
48.9%±90Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
10.6%±25.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lyndeborough and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above U.S. |
39 minHighest 48% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
30 min 13% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.9%±5.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.7%±3.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.6%±4.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Durham and Lyndeborough 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 | #14 of 133 in ME | — | — | #27 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 05 | Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 18 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.