Compare towns
Lee vs Kittery vs Dalton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lee has the oldest population (median age 55.2).
Kittery has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).
Dalton has the most kids (20.6% under 18).
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 | Lee | Kittery | Dalton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,719Lowest |
10,473Highest |
6,256 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.2±5.8Highest 42% above U.S. |
46.8±2.3Lowest 20% above U.S. |
49.7±5.8 28% above U.S. |
| Lee and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
14.7%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dalton and Kittery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.4%±6.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±5.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lee and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
46%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Lee and Kittery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $83,750±$13k 4% above U.S. |
$93,728±$14kHighest 16% above U.S. |
$79,438±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Kittery and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $352,700±$19k 6% above U.S. |
$468,500±$31kHighest 41% above U.S. |
$295,700±$26kLowest 11% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,375±$212 about the U.S. average |
$1,716±$224Highest 21% above U.S. |
$872±$70Lowest 38% below U.S. |
| Kittery and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,980Lowest 28% above U.S. |
$4,518Highest 45% above U.S. |
$4,276 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.3%±21.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
38.8%±14.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.2%±19 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lee and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
67.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1959 21 yrs older than U.S. |
1965Highest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1957Lowest 23 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 31% below U.S. |
20 min 24% below U.S. |
22 minHighest 16% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 16.4%±7.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.7%±7.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.5%±7.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Kittery and Lee 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 | #209 of 282 in MA | #17 of 133 in ME | #192 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lee | Kittery Public Schools | Central Berkshire |
| High school in town | Lee Middle/High School | Robert W Traip Academy | Wahconah Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.2Lowest |
9.9 |
10.9Highest |
| 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.

