Compare towns
Harpswell vs Wolfeboro vs Bristol
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Harpswell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).
Wolfeboro has the youngest population (median age 57).
Bristol has the most affordable homes ($406k 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 | Harpswell | Wolfeboro | Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,046 |
6,571Highest |
2,917Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 62±1.5Highest 59% above U.S. |
57±1.8Lowest 47% above U.S. |
61±3.2 57% above U.S. |
| Harpswell and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 8.8%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
13.7%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
13.9%±4.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Bristol and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 38.6%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
34.6%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
42.8%±8.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bristol and Harpswell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
45%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
52.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.4%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Wolfeboro and Harpswell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $96,250±$15k 19% above U.S. |
$94,375±$22kLowest 17% above U.S. |
$100,750±$19kHighest 25% above U.S. |
| Bristol and Harpswell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $609,700±$60kHighest 83% above U.S. |
$546,500±$60k 64% above U.S. |
$406,400±$54kLowest 22% above U.S. |
| Harpswell and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,348±$53Highest 5% below U.S. |
$1,103±$76 22% below U.S. |
$1,051±$106Lowest 26% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,141 about the U.S. average |
$4,531Highest 45% above U.S. |
$2,668Lowest 14% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.9%±5.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
12%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
23.4%±19.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Harpswell and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
78.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 12% above U.S. |
24 min 10% below U.S. |
18 minLowest 33% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.7%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±6.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
25%±8.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Bristol and Wolfeboro 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 | — | #46 of 120 in NH | #16 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 75/MSAD 75 | Governor Wentworth Regional School District | Bristol Public Schools |
| High school in town | None in town | Kingswood Regional High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1 |
— |
| 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.