Compare towns

Lowell vs Mapleton vs Washburn

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lowell has the oldest population (median age 55.5).
Mapleton has the highest household income ($92k).
Washburn has the most affordable homes ($113k 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.

MeasureLowellMapletonWashburn
People
Population
378Lowest
1,884Highest
1,355
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-3.2%Highest
ME: +2.6%
-9.5%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
Median age
55.5±8.6Highest
24% above ME
41.8±6Lowest
7% below ME
48.2±7.7
8% above ME
Lowell and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.2%±4.4Lowest
ME: 18.1%
22.2%±5.1Highest
ME: 18.1%
21.7%±3.5
ME: 18.1%
Mapleton and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.2%±4.7Highest
ME: 22.4%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
ME: 22.4%
24%±3.7
ME: 22.4%
Lowell and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30%
ME: 36.2%
34.3%Highest
ME: 36.2%
26%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.9Lowest
ME: 5.8%
5%±2.9Highest
ME: 5.8%
3.6%±1.4
ME: 5.8%
Mapleton and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$50,833±$31kLowest
32% below ME
$91,731±$25kHighest
23% above ME
$56,196±$6k
25% below ME
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$209,700±$30kHighest
29% below ME
$191,800±$23k
35% below ME
$112,900±$14kLowest
62% below ME
Lowell and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$610±$277Highest
46% below ME
$482±$62Lowest
58% below ME
Mapleton and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,478Lowest
51% below ME
$1,789Highest
41% below ME
$1,571
48% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
80%±100Highest
ME: 48.4%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
ME: 48.4%
33.3%±24.7
ME: 48.4%
Lowell and Washburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
ME: 10.7%
8.9%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
12.7%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.5%Highest
ME: 74.3%
79.9%
ME: 74.3%
78.2%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1990Highest
13 yrs newer than ME
1977
same as ME
1969Lowest
8 yrs older than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
24% above ME
28 min
13% above ME
21 minLowest
15% below ME
Work from home
10.8%±5.7Highest
ME: 15.9%
10.8%±3.8Highest
ME: 15.9%
9.7%±3.9Lowest
ME: 15.9%
Schools
School district — RSU 79/MSAD 01 RSU 45/MSAD 45
High school in town — None in town Washburn District High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
12.0
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.