Compare towns

Lisbon vs Middlesex vs Bucksport

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lisbon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.8%).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Bucksport has the most affordable homes ($252k 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.

MeasureLisbonMiddlesexBucksport
People
Population
9,750Highest
1,943Lowest
5,016
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
44.4±3.9Highest
14% above U.S.
42.7±12.2
10% above U.S.
Middlesex and Bucksport are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.2%±4Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
17.9%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Lisbon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.2%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
26.6%±7.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bucksport and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
27.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.3%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,819±$9k
4% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$64,720±$21kLowest
20% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$258,300±$26k
22% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$252,300±$32kLowest
24% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$979±$286
31% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$882±$92Lowest
38% below U.S.
Middlesex and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,324
7% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$2,021Lowest
35% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.4%±14.2
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.9%±17Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Bucksport and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
74.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
27 minLowest
4% above U.S.
28 min
7% above U.S.
Work from home
18.1%±9.6
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.1%±5.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Lisbon 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 #60 of 133 in ME — #68 of 133 in ME
School district Lisbon Public Schools Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 RSU 25
High school in town Lisbon High School None in town Bucksport High School
Students per teacherat that high school
15.8Highest
—
13.1Lowest
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.