What stands out worked out from the figures below

Gorham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.9%).

Sterling has the oldest population (median age 51.5).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Gorham	Sterling
People
Population	18,300Highest	8,183Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+11.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	+2.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	39.4±2.9Lowest about the U.S. average	51.5±1.8Highest 32% above U.S.
Kids under 18	20.9%±3.5Highest U.S.: 22%	18.6%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22%
	Gorham and Sterling 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%	22.9%±4Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Sterling 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%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	13.1%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%	4.8%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$112,312±$6kLowest 39% above U.S.	$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S.
	Sterling 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±$26kLowest 39% above U.S.	$498,800±$48kHighest 50% above U.S.
	Sterling and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,680±$355Lowest 19% above U.S.	$1,699±$161Highest 20% above U.S.
	Sterling 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.	$6,757Highest 117% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	37.9%±8.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1%	46%±23.1Highest U.S.: 51.1%
	Sterling 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%Highest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	81.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	86.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.	1980Lowest same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	27 minLowest about the U.S. average	34 minHighest 30% above U.S.
Work from home	19%±3.7Highest U.S.: 15.1%	18.3%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Gorham and Sterling 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	#135 of 282 in MA
School district	Gorham Public Schools	Wachusett
High school in town	Gorham High School	None in town
Students per teacherat that high school	12.9	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.