Compare towns

South Berwick vs Rye vs Hermon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

South Berwick has the most kids (26.7% under 18).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Hermon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+19.3%).

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.

MeasureSouth BerwickRyeHermon
People
Population
7,670Highest
5,611Lowest
6,727
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+19.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39±2.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
41.1±4.7
6% above U.S.
Kids under 18
26.7%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.6%±4.6
U.S.: 22%
South Berwick and Hermon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.4%±4.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Hermon and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$99,572±$13k
23% above U.S.
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$96,629±$22kLowest
20% above U.S.
Rye and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$428,300±$26k
29% above U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$333,600±$32kLowest
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,726±$83
22% above U.S.
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,406±$202Lowest
about the U.S. average
Rye and South Berwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,956
59% above U.S.
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$2,761Lowest
11% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.5%±24.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
28.2%±19.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
South Berwick and Rye 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%
6.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
2000Highest
20 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
Work from home
17.6%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.8%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and South Berwick 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 #2 of 120 in NH #54 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 35/MSAD 35 Rye School District Hermon Public Schools
High school in town Marshwood High School None in town Hermon High School
Students per teacherat that high school
13.0Lowest
—
14.6Highest
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.