Compare towns

Nelson vs Raymond vs Sullivan

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).
Raymond has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.3%).
Sullivan has the most affordable homes ($237k 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.

MeasureNelsonRaymondSullivan
People
Population
648Lowest
4,610Highest
687
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-13.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.3±11.7Lowest
9% above U.S.
47.3±4.1Highest
22% above U.S.
46.6±6.5
20% above U.S.
Raymond and Sullivan 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%
19.1%±4.9
U.S.: 22%
16.3%±5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Nelson and Raymond 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%
22.2%±5.5
U.S.: 17.2%
20.5%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Nelson and Raymond 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%
49.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
28.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.5%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Sullivan and Raymond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$99,792±$23k
24% above U.S.
$88,194±$20kLowest
9% above U.S.
$106,667±$20kHighest
32% above U.S.
Sullivan 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
$395,800±$42kHighest
19% above U.S.
$236,500±$29kLowest
29% below U.S.
Raymond and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,203±$243
15% below U.S.
$965±$397Lowest
32% below U.S.
$1,225±$275Highest
13% below U.S.
Sullivan and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,575Highest
79% above U.S.
$3,139Lowest
about the U.S. average
$5,099
63% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±68.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
38.3%±62.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±84.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Below poverty line
1.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
89.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
93.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1979Highest
1 yr older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
8% below U.S.
37 minHighest
40% above U.S.
32 min
22% above U.S.
Work from home
31.5%±8
U.S.: 15.1%
32.3%±11.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
4.2%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Raymond and Nelson 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 — #112 of 133 in ME —
School district Nelson School District RSU 14 —
High school 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.