Compare towns

Gorham vs Jackson vs Hampden

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 renters (18.5% rent).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Hampden has the most affordable homes ($301k 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.

MeasureGorhamJacksonHampden
People
Population
18,300Highest
897Lowest
7,896
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+26%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
60.5±2.5Highest
56% above U.S.
41±2.9
5% above U.S.
Kids under 18
20.9%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
4.1%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
25.8%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Hampden 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%
28.4%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.2%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
67.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.3%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6k
39% above U.S.
$117,986±$46kHighest
46% above U.S.
$111,959±$13kLowest
39% above U.S.
Jackson and Gorham 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.
$719,300±$109kHighest
116% above U.S.
$301,300±$38kLowest
9% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355
19% above U.S.
$1,750±$1kHighest
24% above U.S.
$1,286±$317Lowest
9% below U.S.
Jackson and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,825
55% above U.S.
$6,001Highest
92% above U.S.
$3,694Lowest
18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
21.1%±59.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
22.2%±15.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Gorham and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
16.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.7%
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 minHighest
about the U.S. average
19 minLowest
30% below U.S.
23 min
14% below U.S.
Work from home
19%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.2%±10.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.3%±5.5
U.S.: 15.1%
Jackson and Hampden 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 — #6 of 133 in ME
School district Gorham Public Schools Jackson School District RSU 22
High school in town Gorham High School None in town Hampden Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Lowest
—
14.8Highest
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.