Compare towns
Lyman vs Dedham vs Waterboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lyman has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.2%).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Waterboro has the most kids (22.5% 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 | Lyman | Dedham | Waterboro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,612Lowest |
25,237Highest |
8,055 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.8±2Highest 38% above U.S. |
44.6±1.6 15% above U.S. |
42±3.1Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9 U.S.: 22% |
22.5%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Waterboro and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±6.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
14.8%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lyman and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
55%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dedham and Waterboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $87,284±$14kLowest 8% above U.S. |
$128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$89,392±$16k 11% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $360,400±$44k 8% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16kHighest 99% above U.S. |
$297,000±$23kLowest 11% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,063±$522Lowest 25% below U.S. |
$2,042±$182Highest 45% above U.S. |
$1,200±$461 15% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,717Lowest 13% below U.S. |
$7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
$2,772 11% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.7%±44.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
50.2%±12.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dedham and Waterboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1983Highest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 26% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 11% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 33% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.9%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dedham and Lyman 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 | #40 of 133 in ME | #119 of 282 in MA | #80 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 57/MSAD 57 | Dedham | RSU 57/MSAD 57 |
| High school in town | None in town | Dedham High | Massabesic High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.4Lowest |
13.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 2 photos → | None yet | 6 photos → |
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.