Compare towns

Otis vs Paris vs Dedham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Otis has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Paris has the most people working from home (19.4%).
Dedham has the most kids (23.8% under 18).

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.

MeasureOtisParisDedham
People
Population
705Lowest
5,317Highest
1,656
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%Highest
ME: +2.6%
-0.1%
ME: +2.6%
-2%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
Median age
54.7±3.1Highest
22% above ME
48.2±5.6
8% above ME
46.5±2.2Lowest
4% above ME
Otis and Paris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±7.8
ME: 18.1%
15.8%±5.9Lowest
ME: 18.1%
23.8%±3.6Highest
ME: 18.1%
Dedham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.9%±8
ME: 22.4%
24.6%±5.9Highest
ME: 22.4%
18.7%±2.9Lowest
ME: 22.4%
Paris and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.8%
ME: 36.2%
28.8%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
49.5%Highest
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.6%±1.7Lowest
ME: 5.8%
5%±3.8Highest
ME: 5.8%
3.3%±1.7
ME: 5.8%
Paris and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,250±$27k
35% above ME
$75,137±$20kLowest
about the ME average
$111,442±$18kHighest
49% above ME
Dedham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$282,500±$23k
5% below ME
$240,400±$57kLowest
19% below ME
$356,400±$33kHighest
20% above ME
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,563±$734Highest
37% above ME
—
$1,422±$607Lowest
25% above ME
Otis and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,263Lowest
25% below ME
$2,649
13% below ME
$3,942Highest
30% above ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
35.7%±100
ME: 48.4%
62.3%±13.9Highest
ME: 48.4%
13%±85.3Lowest
ME: 48.4%
Paris and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
12.5%Highest
ME: 10.7%
9%
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.5%
ME: 74.3%
60.2%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
95.5%Highest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1990Highest
13 yrs newer than ME
1981Lowest
4 yrs newer than ME
1983
6 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
42 minHighest
69% above ME
22 minLowest
9% below ME
30 min
22% above ME
Work from home
5.1%±3.5Lowest
ME: 15.9%
19.4%±10.6Highest
ME: 15.9%
9.3%±4.3
ME: 15.9%
Paris and Dedham 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 — #114 of 133 in ME —
School district Otis Public Schools RSU 17/MSAD 17 Dedham Public Schools
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

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.