Compare towns

Gorham vs Windham vs Sheldon

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%).
Windham has the oldest population (median age 41.8).
Sheldon has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureGorhamWindhamSheldon
People
Population
18,300
19,188Highest
2,267Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
41.8±1.8Highest
7% above U.S.
40.9±3.5
5% above U.S.
Windham and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.9%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
19.2%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.5%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.9%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Gorham and Windham 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%
44.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,312±$6kHighest
39% above U.S.
$107,934±$14k
34% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Gorham and Windham 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.
$388,900±$22k
17% above U.S.
$272,400±$61kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,680±$355Highest
19% above U.S.
$1,232±$332Lowest
13% below U.S.
$1,286±$379
9% below U.S.
Gorham and Sheldon 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.
$3,938
26% above U.S.
$3,578Lowest
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.9%±8.6Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
32.7%±14.7
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Gorham and Windham 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%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1985
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1984Lowest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
about the U.S. average
26 min
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
19%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #24 of 133 in ME #95 of 133 in ME —
School district Gorham Public Schools RSU 14 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town Gorham High School Windham High School None in town
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.