Compare towns
Hampden vs Reading vs Hampden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.2%).
Reading has the most expensive homes ($377k median).
Hampden has the most affordable homes ($286k 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.
| Measure | Hampden | Reading | Hampden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,896Highest |
699Lowest |
5,161 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41±2.9Lowest 5% above U.S. |
51.1±7.6Highest 31% above U.S. |
41.1±6.3 6% above U.S. |
| Reading and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25.8%±5.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.5%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±7.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampden and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.2%±3.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.6%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
46% U.S.: 35.7% |
47.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.3%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hampden and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,959±$13k 39% above U.S. |
$85,000±$19kLowest 5% above U.S. |
$112,228±$22kHighest 39% above U.S. |
| Hampden and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $301,300±$38k 9% below U.S. |
$377,200±$72kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$285,900±$33kLowest 14% below U.S. |
| Reading and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$317Highest 9% below U.S. |
$1,100±$331Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,133±$375 20% below U.S. |
| Hampden and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,694Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$5,754Highest 84% above U.S. |
$3,863 24% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 22.2%±15.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
63.3%±31.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.2%±18 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Reading and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
83.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 14% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 16% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±10.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Reading and Hampden 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 | #6 of 133 in ME | — | #6 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 22 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | — |
| High school in town | Hampden Academy | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.8 |
— | — |
| 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.