Compare towns

Gorham vs Saco vs Worcester

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 kids (20.9% under 18).
Saco has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasureGorhamSacoWorcester
People
Population
18,300
20,819Highest
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
44.9±1.5
15% above U.S.
47±2.7Highest
21% above U.S.
Worcester and Saco 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%
16.7%±2.5
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Gorham and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.5%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Worcester and Saco 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%
43.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.9%±4.7
U.S.: 6.4%
Gorham and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6kHighest
39% above U.S.
$92,241±$11k
14% above U.S.
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$460,900±$26kHighest
39% above U.S.
$413,100±$17k
24% above U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,249±$385
12% below U.S.
$1,023±$136Lowest
28% below U.S.
Gorham and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,825Highest
55% above U.S.
$4,807
54% above U.S.
$4,421Lowest
42% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6
U.S.: 51.1%
50.3%±14Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.5%±37Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Saco and Gorham 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%
6.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
24 minLowest
10% below U.S.
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
Work from home
19%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.6%±4.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Worcester 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 #38 of 133 in ME —
School district Gorham Public Schools Saco Public Schools Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town Gorham High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9
— —
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.