Compare towns
Madison vs Hope vs Anson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Madison has the oldest population (median age 49.6).
Hope has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.5%).
Anson has the most affordable homes ($100k 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.
| Measure | Madison | Hope | Anson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,782Highest |
1,748 |
680Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.7% ME: +2.6% |
+10.5%Highest ME: +2.6% |
-9.6%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 49.6±3.4Highest 11% above ME |
44.6±3.1 about the ME average |
43.3±15.2Lowest 3% below ME |
| Madison and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.9%±4.3Lowest ME: 18.1% |
23.3%±5.4 ME: 18.1% |
26.2%±5Highest ME: 18.1% |
| Anson and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±5.8Highest ME: 22.4% |
21.1%±1.3 ME: 22.4% |
8.2%±5.3Lowest ME: 22.4% |
| Madison and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.4% ME: 36.2% |
47.4%Highest ME: 36.2% |
5.3%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.1%±2.8Highest ME: 5.8% |
2.1%±1.3 ME: 5.8% |
0%±2.3Lowest ME: 5.8% |
| Madison and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $61,747±$11kLowest 17% below ME |
$86,766±$6k 16% above ME |
$87,770±$61kHighest 17% above ME |
| Anson and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $187,600±$40k 37% below ME |
$373,400±$33kHighest 26% above ME |
$100,400±$28kLowest 66% below ME |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $906±$247Lowest 20% below ME |
$1,219±$182Highest 7% above ME |
$914±$247 20% below ME |
| Hope and Anson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,983 35% below ME |
$3,842Highest 27% above ME |
$1,207Lowest 60% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.9%±11.7Lowest ME: 48.4% |
37.8%±38.7Highest ME: 48.4% |
31.8%±37.5 ME: 48.4% |
| Hope and Anson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15%Highest ME: 10.7% |
5.3%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
8.7% ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.6%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
92.9%Highest ME: 74.3% |
60.7% ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 13 yrs older than ME |
1991Highest 14 yrs newer than ME |
1950Lowest 27 yrs older than ME |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 9% above ME |
20 minLowest 19% below ME |
31 minHighest 26% above ME |
| Work from home | 19.3%±10.7Highest ME: 15.9% |
18.3%±10.2 ME: 15.9% |
0%±4.1Lowest ME: 15.9% |
| Madison and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | RSU 59/MSAD 59 | Hope Public Schools | — |
| High school in town | Madison Jr/Sr High School | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.0 |
— | — |
| 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.