What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lyme has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.2%).

Lincoln has the highest household income ($96k).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Lyme	Lincoln
People
Population	2,066Highest	1,749Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+5.2%Highest NY: +4.2%	-10.4%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	56.8±6.1Highest 43% above NY	53.6±2.3Lowest 35% above NY
	Lyme and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	18.6%±4.4Highest NY: 20.5%	15.3%±2.5Lowest NY: 20.5%
	Lyme and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	36.2%±4Highest NY: 17.9%	29.4%±3.8Lowest NY: 17.9%
	Lyme and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	35.9%Highest NY: 40.2%	34.4%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3%±2.1Lowest NY: 7%	4.4%±2Highest NY: 7%
	Lincoln and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$81,400±$5kLowest 5% below NY	$96,100±$12kHighest 12% above NY
	Lincoln and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$234,700±$20kHighest 45% below NY	$202,100±$25kLowest 52% below NY
	Lyme and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$838±$190Lowest 48% below NY	$1,196±$309Highest 26% below NY
	Lincoln and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,442Lowest 48% below NY	$3,800Highest 42% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	32.7%±52Lowest NY: 52.1%	47.2%±65Highest NY: 52.1%
	Lincoln and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	11.3%Highest NY: 14%	6.9%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	93.3%Lowest NY: 54.3%	93.8%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1974Lowest 15 yrs newer than NY	1980Highest 21 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	28 minHighest 13% below NY	27 minLowest 18% below NY
Work from home	7%±4.1Lowest NY: 14.9%	7.4%±2.4Highest NY: 14.9%
	Lincoln and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

NY 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.