Compare towns
Union vs Washington vs Mapleton vs Bowdoin
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Union has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Bowdoin has the most expensive homes ($293k median).
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 | Union | Washington | Mapleton | Bowdoin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,663 |
1,056Lowest |
1,884 |
3,188Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.6±5.3Lowest 7% above U.S. |
52.9±5.1Highest 36% above U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
44.3±10 14% above U.S. |
| Washington and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 24.9%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
19.1%±6.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Union and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.3%±4.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Washington and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
30.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±2 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,724±$9k about the U.S. average |
$66,103±$8kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$91,731±$25kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$91,239±$13k 13% above U.S. |
| Mapleton and Bowdoin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,600±$42k 20% below U.S. |
$217,700±$37k 35% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$292,800±$71kHighest 12% below U.S. |
| Bowdoin and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,179±$452Highest 17% below U.S. |
$996±$285 30% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
— |
| Union and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,276 5% above U.S. |
$3,485Highest 12% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$3,375 8% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.6%±19.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
34.5%±63.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±42.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Washington and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
11%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 11% above U.S. |
31 min 16% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±5.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Union and Washington 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 | — | — | — | #28 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 75/MSAD 75 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.