Compare towns
Nelson vs Naples vs South Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Naples has the oldest population (median age 49.8).
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
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 | Nelson | Naples | South Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 648Lowest |
3,985Highest |
984 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7Lowest 9% above U.S. |
49.8±6.8Highest 28% above U.S. |
45.1±5.3 16% above U.S. |
| Naples and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.6%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.3%±5.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Nelson and Naples are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
52.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $99,792±$23k 24% above U.S. |
$78,188±$13kLowest 3% below U.S. |
$152,500±$44kHighest 89% above U.S. |
| South Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49k about the U.S. average |
$340,100±$48kLowest about the U.S. average |
$661,100±$45kHighest 99% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,941±$625Highest 37% above U.S. |
$1,889±$489 34% above U.S. |
| Naples and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,575 79% above U.S. |
$2,784Lowest 11% below U.S. |
$9,109Highest 192% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
59.9%±40.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Naples and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 8% below U.S. |
38 minHighest 45% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.7%±11.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
17%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Nelson and Naples 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 | — | #118 of 133 in ME | — |
| School district | Nelson School District | RSU 61/MSAD 61 | South Hampton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Lake Region High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.