Compare towns

Newfields vs Bowdoin vs Lyme

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Bowdoin has the most affordable homes ($293k median).
Lyme has the shortest commute (21 min average).

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.

MeasureNewfieldsBowdoinLyme
People
Population
2,023
3,188Highest
1,710Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.1±1.8Lowest
13% above U.S.
44.3±10
14% above U.S.
48.6±7.8Highest
25% above U.S.
Lyme and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.9%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.1%±6.2
U.S.: 22%
19.5%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Lyme and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
14.1%±4.7
U.S.: 17.2%
26.5%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
30.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
70.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$91,239±$13kLowest
13% above U.S.
$133,906±$15k
66% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$292,800±$71kLowest
12% below U.S.
$645,000±$64k
94% above U.S.
Newfields and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
—
$1,418±$130Lowest
about the U.S. average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,375Lowest
8% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.3%±40.8
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±42.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.8%±29.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Lyme and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
11%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1991
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the U.S. average
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
21 minLowest
21% below U.S.
Work from home
25.5%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
11.7%±7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
27.2%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Lyme and Newfields 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 — #28 of 133 in ME —
School district Newfields School District RSU 75/MSAD 75 Lyme School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.