Compare towns

Gorham vs Mapleton vs Bowdoin

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 oldest population (median age 53.9).
Mapleton has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
Bowdoin has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.5%).

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.

MeasureGorhamMapletonBowdoin
People
Population
2,682
1,884Lowest
3,188Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.9±3.6Highest
39% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
44.3±10
14% above U.S.
Gorham and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.5%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.1%±6.2
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.7%±6.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
14.1%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Gorham and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$61,275±$7kLowest
24% below U.S.
$91,731±$25kHighest
14% above U.S.
$91,239±$13k
13% above U.S.
Mapleton and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$161,600±$49kLowest
51% below U.S.
$191,800±$23k
42% below U.S.
$292,800±$71kHighest
12% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$838±$83Highest
41% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
—
Gorham and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,334Highest
39% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$3,375
8% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±20.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±42.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Gorham and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
11%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
84.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
1.7%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
11.7%±7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Bowdoin and Mapleton 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 #57 of 120 in NH — #28 of 133 in ME
School district Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District RSU 79/MSAD 01 RSU 75/MSAD 75
High school in town Gorham High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.0
— —
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.