Compare towns
Stratford vs Mapleton vs Dalton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stratford has the most affordable homes ($161k median).
Mapleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.2%).
Dalton has the shortest commute (20 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.
| Measure | Stratford | Mapleton | Dalton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 950 |
1,884Highest |
916Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -11.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.8±16.8Highest 28% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
44.5±12.9 14% above U.S. |
| Stratford and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.4%±7.6 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±11.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±9.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.8%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Stratford and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 16.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
20.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dalton and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $49,583±$14kLowest 39% below U.S. |
$91,731±$25kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$81,429±$36k about the U.S. average |
| Mapleton and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $161,100±$48kLowest 52% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kHighest 42% below U.S. |
$191,400±$68k 42% below U.S. |
| Mapleton and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $775±$264 45% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$900±$825Highest 36% below U.S. |
| Dalton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,512 19% below U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$3,561Highest 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 64%±53.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.7%±83.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Stratford and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 23.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
19.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 15% below U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.4%±4.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
5.9%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Mapleton and Stratford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Stratford School District | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.