Compare towns

Gorham vs Hampton Beach 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 highest household income ($112k).
Hampton Beach has the oldest population (median age 60.4).
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.

MeasureGorhamHampton BeachSouth Berwick
People
Population
18,300Highest
2,605Lowest
7,670
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+14.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9
about the U.S. average
60.4±2.4Highest
55% above U.S.
39±2.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
Kids under 18
20.9%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
3.1%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
26.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
South Berwick and Gorham 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%
33.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
41.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
0.6%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6kHighest
39% above U.S.
$82,557±$17kLowest
about the U.S. average
$99,572±$13k
23% above U.S.
Gorham and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$460,900±$26k
39% above U.S.
$508,900±$76kHighest
53% above U.S.
$428,300±$26kLowest
29% above U.S.
Hampton Beach and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355
19% above U.S.
$1,375±$130Lowest
about the U.S. average
$1,726±$83Highest
22% above U.S.
South Berwick and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,825Lowest
55% above U.S.
$6,115Highest
96% above U.S.
$4,956
59% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
61.7%±20.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
53.5%±24.5
U.S.: 51.1%
Hampton Beach and South Berwick 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%
8.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
62.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
4% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
Work from home
19%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
26.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.6%±5.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton Beach 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 — #58 of 133 in ME
School district Gorham Public Schools — RSU 35/MSAD 35
High school in town Gorham High School — Marshwood High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Lowest
—
13.0Highest
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.