Compare towns
Jefferson vs Mapleton vs Union vs Unity
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jefferson has the most expensive homes ($312k median).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Union has the most people working from home (15.9%).
Unity has the oldest population (median age 58).
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 | Jefferson | Mapleton | Union | Unity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,647 |
1,884 |
2,663Highest |
1,375Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.1±4.9Lowest about the U.S. average |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
41.6±5.3 7% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 28%±5.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
24.9%±4 U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Jefferson and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.7%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,078±$17k 5% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$80,724±$9kLowest about the U.S. average |
$87,500±$16k 8% above U.S. |
| Mapleton and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $311,600±$35kHighest 6% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$267,600±$42k 20% below U.S. |
$276,100±$29k 17% below U.S. |
| Jefferson and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,120±$130 21% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,179±$452 17% below U.S. |
$1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
| Unity and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,587 17% below U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$3,276 5% above U.S. |
$5,394Highest 73% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 29.8%±25.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
24.6%±19.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Unity and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987Highest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.9%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Union 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 | #45 of 133 in ME | — | — | — |
| School district | Jefferson Public Schools | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Unity School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.