What stands out worked out from the figures below

Surry has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.3%).

Jefferson has the most kids (28% 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.

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

Measure	Surry	Jefferson
People
Population	1,836Lowest	2,647Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+11.3%Highest ME: +2.6%	+5.1%Lowest ME: +2.6%
Median age	52.4±5.6Highest 17% above ME	38.1±4.9Lowest 15% below ME
Kids under 18	16.6%±3.7Lowest ME: 18.1%	28%±5.7Highest ME: 18.1%
Age 65+	30.9%±3.8Highest ME: 22.4%	18.7%±3.5Lowest ME: 22.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	38.1%Highest ME: 36.2%	27.6%Lowest ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2%±1Lowest ME: 5.8%	4.6%±2.5Highest ME: 5.8%
	Jefferson and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$74,508±$12kLowest about the ME average	$85,078±$17kHighest 14% above ME
	Jefferson and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$296,300±$36kLowest about the ME average	$311,600±$35kHighest 5% above ME
	Jefferson and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$969±$129Lowest 15% below ME	$1,120±$130Highest about the ME average
	Jefferson and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$1,903Lowest 37% below ME	$2,587Highest 15% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	65.8%±59.5Highest ME: 48.4%	29.8%±25.1Lowest ME: 48.4%
	Surry and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7%Highest ME: 10.7%	3.4%Lowest ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	88.6%Highest ME: 74.3%	83.8%Lowest ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1987 10 yrs newer than ME	1987 10 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	31 minHighest 26% above ME	30 minLowest 23% above ME
Work from home	11.4%±5Highest ME: 15.9%	8.9%±3.6Lowest ME: 15.9%
	Surry and Jefferson 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	—	#45 of 133 in ME
School district	Surry Public Schools	Jefferson Public Schools
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.