Compare towns

Mapleton vs Appleton vs Alstead

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Mapleton has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
Appleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Alstead has the most expensive homes ($272k 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.

MeasureMapletonAppletonAlstead
People
Population
1,884Highest
1,360Lowest
1,551
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+7.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
49.2±7.4
26% above U.S.
56±3.3Highest
44% above U.S.
Alstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±2.7
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.1%±9.3
U.S.: 17.2%
27.8%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Alstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
28.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.7%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Mapleton and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$91,731±$25kHighest
14% above U.S.
$53,618±$19kLowest
34% below U.S.
$64,526±$11k
20% below U.S.
Mapleton and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$235,600±$33k
29% below U.S.
$271,600±$37kHighest
18% below U.S.
Alstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$1,104±$82Highest
22% below U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$3,588
15% above U.S.
$5,322Highest
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
85.4%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
72.1%±22.3
U.S.: 51.1%
Appleton and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
9.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
82.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
76%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
30 min
14% above U.S.
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.1%±3.5
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Alstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district RSU 79/MSAD 01 Appleton Public Schools Fall Mountain Regional School District
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.