Compare towns

East Machias vs Epping vs Mapleton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

East Machias has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).

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.

MeasureEast MachiasEppingMapleton
People
Population
1,223Lowest
7,430Highest
1,884
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.8±2.9
10% above U.S.
45.1±3.5Highest
16% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
Epping and East Machias are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.3%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.7%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
East Machias and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.4%±3.6
U.S.: 17.2%
22.6%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Epping and East Machias are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
33.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Epping and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$57,589±$10kLowest
29% below U.S.
$104,220±$7kHighest
29% above U.S.
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
Epping and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$210,800±$23k
37% below U.S.
$436,900±$35kHighest
31% above U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$907±$566
36% below U.S.
$1,742±$576Highest
23% above U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
Epping and East Machias are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,836
41% below U.S.
$6,936Highest
122% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±40.3
U.S.: 51.1%
67.8%±25.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Epping and East Machias are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
15.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
86.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
33% below U.S.
32 minHighest
22% above U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
Work from home
4.1%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
24%±6.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #77 of 120 in NH —
School district East Machias Public Schools Epping School District RSU 79/MSAD 01
High school in town None in town Epping High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.3
—
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.