Compare towns

Fairfield vs Woolwich vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.1%).
Woolwich has the oldest population (median age 55.8).
Sheldon has the most people working from home (13%).

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.

MeasureFairfieldWoolwichSheldon
People
Population
1,938Lowest
3,158Highest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.3±2.7
9% above U.S.
55.8±5.5Highest
43% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
15%±5.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
Fairfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.3%±1.8
U.S.: 17.2%
33.9%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
52.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Fairfield and Woolwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,019±$22k
8% above U.S.
$102,175±$26kHighest
27% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Woolwich and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$320,600±$22kHighest
4% below U.S.
$254,500±$59kLowest
24% below U.S.
$272,400±$61k
18% below U.S.
Fairfield and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,056±$441Lowest
25% below U.S.
—
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,816Highest
54% above U.S.
$2,433Lowest
22% below U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29.2%±20.4
U.S.: 51.1%
64.3%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Woolwich and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
13.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1982Lowest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
8% below U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
25 min
5% below U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.9%±6.2
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Sheldon and Woolwich 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 — #92 of 133 in ME —
School district Maple Run Unified Union School District #57 RSU 01 - LKRSU Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town None 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.