Compare towns
Gorham vs Wakefield 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.9%).
Wakefield has the oldest population (median age 49.4).
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.
| Measure | Gorham | Wakefield | South Berwick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 18,300Highest |
5,405Lowest |
7,670 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.4±2.9 about the U.S. average |
49.4±4.1Highest 27% above U.S. |
39±2.5Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Kids under 18 | 20.9%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
18.7%±3.9Lowest 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% |
18.8%±4.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.8%±3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Wakefield 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% |
26.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
41.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 13.1%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.4%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $112,312±$6kHighest 39% above U.S. |
$100,976±$11k 25% above U.S. |
$99,572±$13kLowest 23% above U.S. |
| Gorham and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $460,900±$26kHighest 39% above U.S. |
$322,800±$43kLowest about the U.S. average |
$428,300±$26k 29% above U.S. |
| Gorham and South Berwick 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±$434Lowest 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 | $4,825 55% above U.S. |
$2,954Lowest 5% below U.S. |
$4,956Highest 59% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.9%±8.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±82.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
53.5%±24.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| South Berwick 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% |
7.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.8%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.3%Lowest 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 min about the U.S. average |
36 minHighest 35% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 19%±3.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.1%±9.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.6%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Gorham and South Berwick 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 | #118 of 120 in NH | #58 of 133 in ME |
| School district | Gorham Public Schools | Wakefield School District | RSU 35/MSAD 35 |
| High school in town | Gorham High School | None in town | Marshwood High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9Lowest |
— | 13.0Highest |
| 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.