Compare towns
Solon vs Jackson vs Embden vs Athens
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Solon has the oldest housing (typical home built 1978).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.3%).
Embden has the oldest population (median age 60.6).
Athens has the most kids (21.7% 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.
| Measure | Solon | Jackson | Embden | Athens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 963 |
567Lowest |
995Highest |
791 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.1%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
+11.3%Highest ME: +2.6% |
-3.9% ME: +2.6% |
-6.6% ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 45.9±5.4 about the ME average |
37.7±5.8Lowest 16% below ME |
60.6±5.1Highest 35% above ME |
47.7±7.2 6% above ME |
| Kids under 18 | 17.2%±4.6 ME: 18.1% |
17.1%±4.3 ME: 18.1% |
13.2%±5.5Lowest ME: 18.1% |
21.7%±5Highest ME: 18.1% |
| Athens and Solon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.9%±3.6 ME: 22.4% |
17.5%±4.7Lowest ME: 22.4% |
34.6%±9.5Highest ME: 22.4% |
24.4%±2.7 ME: 22.4% |
| Embden and Athens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25% ME: 36.2% |
41.9%Highest ME: 36.2% |
16.2%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
17.7% ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.3%±1.5 ME: 5.8% |
1.4%±1.3 ME: 5.8% |
0.4%±1.3Lowest ME: 5.8% |
3.5%±2.5Highest ME: 5.8% |
| Athens and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $69,205±$20k 7% below ME |
$75,167±$19kHighest about the ME average |
$56,875±$23k 24% below ME |
$50,750±$14kLowest 32% below ME |
| Jackson and Solon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,600±$12k 38% below ME |
$231,500±$16kHighest 22% below ME |
$173,400±$59k 42% below ME |
$153,100±$33kLowest 48% below ME |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $915±$100Highest 20% below ME |
$629±$12 45% below ME |
— | $538±$457Lowest 53% below ME |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,854 39% below ME |
$2,651Highest 13% below ME |
$1,804 41% below ME |
$1,355Lowest 55% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 14.6%±48.8 ME: 48.4% |
6.3%±60.5 ME: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest ME: 48.4% |
100%±75.5Highest ME: 48.4% |
| Athens and Solon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.7%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
13.8% ME: 10.7% |
12.2% ME: 10.7% |
23.3%Highest ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% ME: 74.3% |
78.6%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
96.3%Highest ME: 74.3% |
94.6% ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 1 yr newer than ME |
1993Highest 16 yrs newer than ME |
1980 3 yrs newer than ME |
1985 8 yrs newer than ME |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 52 minHighest 113% above ME |
35 min 41% above ME |
33 min 34% above ME |
29 minLowest 18% above ME |
| Work from home | 9.1%±4.7 ME: 15.9% |
15.3%±6.5 ME: 15.9% |
18.7%±7.5Highest ME: 15.9% |
6.1%±4.1Lowest ME: 15.9% |
| Embden and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | RSU 74/MSAD 74 | — | — | Athens Public Schools |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | 2 photos → |
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.