Compare towns

Lyman vs Newfields vs Acton

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 the oldest population (median age 53.8).
Newfields has the highest household income ($198k).
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).

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.

MeasureLymanNewfieldsActon
People
Population
4,612Highest
2,023Lowest
2,721
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.8±2Highest
38% above U.S.
44.1±1.8Lowest
13% above U.S.
52.9±4.2
36% above U.S.
Lyman and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.2%±4
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
13.1%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Newfields and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±6.4
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.2%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Acton and Lyman 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%
68.1%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%
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,284±$14k
8% above U.S.
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$78,750±$15kLowest
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$360,400±$44k
8% above U.S.
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$334,300±$34kLowest
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,063±$522Lowest
25% below U.S.
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
—
Newfields and Lyman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,717
13% below U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$2,680Lowest
14% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.7%±44.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8
U.S.: 51.1%
100%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Acton and Newfields 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%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
26% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
40 minHighest
53% above U.S.
Work from home
18.9%±6.9
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.2%±8.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfields 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 — #43 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 57/MSAD 57 Newfields School District Acton Public Schools
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.