What stands out worked out from the figures below

South Berwick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).

Plymouth has the youngest population (median age 24.6).

Plymouth is a college town. 33.7% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	South Berwick	Plymouth
People
Population	7,670Highest	6,601Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+3.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-4.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	39±2.5Highest about the U.S. average	24.6±3.4Lowest 37% below U.S.
Kids under 18	26.7%±6Highest U.S.: 22%	13.6%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	15.8%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2%	12%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	South Berwick and Plymouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	41.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	54%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.2%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	33.7%±3.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$99,572±$13kHighest 23% above U.S.	$77,027±$26kLowest 5% below U.S.
	South Berwick and Plymouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$428,300±$26kHighest 29% above U.S.	$292,400±$22kLowest 12% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,726±$83Highest 22% above U.S.	$1,108±$255Lowest 22% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,956Lowest 59% above U.S.	$6,288Highest 102% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	53.5%±24.5Highest U.S.: 51.1%	33.8%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	South Berwick and Plymouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%	18.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	78.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2%	56.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S.	1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	27 minHighest about the U.S. average	18 minLowest 30% below U.S.
Work from home	17.6%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1%	11.7%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	South Berwick and Plymouth 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	#58 of 133 in ME	#47 of 120 in NH
School district	RSU 35/MSAD 35	Plymouth School District · Pemi-Baker Regional School District
High school in town	Marshwood High School	Plymouth Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school	13.0Highest	12.8Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.