Compare towns

Gorham vs Pepperell vs Windham

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.9%).
Pepperell has the highest household income ($124k).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($389k 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.

MeasureGorhamPepperellWindham
People
Population
18,300
11,663Lowest
19,188Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
42.4±3.3Highest
9% above U.S.
41.8±1.8
7% above U.S.
Pepperell and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.1%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
19.2%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Gorham and Pepperell 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%
18.2%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Pepperell 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%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
43.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.7%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6k
39% above U.S.
$124,073±$12kHighest
54% above U.S.
$107,934±$14kLowest
34% above U.S.
Pepperell 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.
$482,100±$14kHighest
45% above U.S.
$388,900±$22kLowest
17% above U.S.
Pepperell and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,295±$238
8% below U.S.
$1,232±$332Lowest
13% below U.S.
Gorham and Pepperell 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.
$6,698Highest
115% above U.S.
$3,938Lowest
26% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6
U.S.: 51.1%
45.1%±16.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
32.7%±14.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Pepperell and Gorham 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%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
84.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1981Lowest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1985
5 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
34 minHighest
28% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
19%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.1%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #24 of 133 in ME #153 of 282 in MA #95 of 133 in ME
School district Gorham Public Schools North Middlesex RSU 14
High school in town Gorham High School None in town Windham High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
—
12.1Lowest
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.