Compare towns

Harrison vs Sullivan vs Deer Isle

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Harrison has the oldest population (median age 56).
Sullivan has the most kids (18% under 18).
Deer Isle has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).

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.

MeasureHarrisonSullivanDeer Isle
People
Population
2,513Highest
1,246Lowest
2,470
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-10.4%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
-1.4%
ME: +2.6%
+11.1%Highest
ME: +2.6%
Median age
56±3.6Highest
25% above ME
47.1±15Lowest
5% above ME
52.6±5.6
17% above ME
Harrison and Deer Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
9.1%±3Lowest
ME: 18.1%
18%±5.2Highest
ME: 18.1%
14.7%±3.3
ME: 18.1%
Sullivan and Deer Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.8%±7.6Highest
ME: 22.4%
22.5%±2.9Lowest
ME: 22.4%
24.8%±3.3
ME: 22.4%
Harrison and Deer Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.9%
ME: 36.2%
26%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
35.9%Highest
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.5Lowest
ME: 5.8%
5.1%±4Highest
ME: 5.8%
2.5%±1.4Lowest
ME: 5.8%
Sullivan and Harrison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$56,938±$6kLowest
24% below ME
$59,643±$14k
20% below ME
$62,284±$15kHighest
17% below ME
Deer Isle and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$249,300±$70k
16% below ME
$222,000±$33kLowest
25% below ME
$308,300±$42kHighest
4% above ME
Deer Isle and Harrison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$885±$193
22% below ME
$883±$114Lowest
22% below ME
$1,909±$927Highest
68% above ME
Deer Isle and Harrison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,731Highest
10% below ME
$2,228
27% below ME
$1,890Lowest
38% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.5%±24.4
ME: 48.4%
34.9%±23.6Highest
ME: 48.4%
25.4%±17.9Lowest
ME: 48.4%
Sullivan and Harrison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
19.1%Highest
ME: 10.7%
13.6%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
19.1%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.1%Highest
ME: 74.3%
85.2%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
85.8%
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
3 yrs newer than ME
1981Highest
4 yrs newer than ME
1976Lowest
1 yr older than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
24% above ME
26 min
7% above ME
20 minLowest
17% below ME
Work from home
22.3%±9.4Highest
ME: 15.9%
12.6%±7.9Lowest
ME: 15.9%
22%±9.5
ME: 15.9%
Harrison and Deer Isle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district RSU 17/MSAD 17 RSU 24 Deer Isle-Stonington CSD
High school in town None in town Sumner Memorial High School Deer Isle-Stonington High Sch
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.5Highest
8.0Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

ME 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.