Compare towns

Gorham vs Canton vs South Berwick

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Gorham has the most homeowners (81.5%).
Canton has the most expensive homes ($711k median).
South Berwick has the most kids (26.7% 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.

MeasureGorhamCantonSouth Berwick
People
Population
18,300
24,748Highest
7,670Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+13%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9
about the U.S. average
42.6±2.3Highest
10% above U.S.
39±2.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
Canton and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.9%±2.3
U.S.: 22%
26.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
South Berwick and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.5%±2.5
U.S.: 17.2%
18.8%±2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Canton and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
67.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
41.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.5%±1
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6k
39% above U.S.
$143,381±$9kHighest
78% above U.S.
$99,572±$13kLowest
23% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$460,900±$26k
39% above U.S.
$710,600±$27kHighest
114% above U.S.
$428,300±$26kLowest
29% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355Lowest
19% above U.S.
$2,315±$178Highest
64% above U.S.
$1,726±$83
22% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,825Lowest
55% above U.S.
$6,560Highest
110% above U.S.
$4,956
59% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.4%±9.1
U.S.: 51.1%
53.5%±24.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
South Berwick and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
36 minHighest
36% above U.S.
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
19%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
25.7%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.6%±5.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Canton and Gorham 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 #24 of 133 in ME #81 of 282 in MA #58 of 133 in ME
School district Gorham Public Schools Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical · Canton RSU 35/MSAD 35
High school in town Gorham High School Canton High Marshwood High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Lowest
13.1Highest
13.0
On TownTapestry
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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.