What stands out worked out from the figures below

Unity has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).

Jay has the oldest population (median age 39.5).

Unity is a college town. 30% 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	Unity	Jay
People
Population	1,858Lowest	4,657Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+9.2%Highest ME: +2.6%	-4.8%Lowest ME: +2.6%
Median age	27.5±2.2Lowest 39% below ME	39.5±5.1Highest 12% below ME
Kids under 18	14%±3.6Lowest ME: 18.1%	17.5%±5.4Highest ME: 18.1%
	Jay and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	11.8%±3Lowest ME: 22.4%	19.3%±4.7Highest ME: 22.4%
	Jay and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	22.1%Lowest ME: 36.2%	29.7%Highest ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	30%±4.3Highest ME: 5.8%	4.5%±3.2Lowest ME: 5.8%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$62,857±$6kLowest 16% below ME	$70,238±$19kHighest 6% below ME
	Jay and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$206,900±$28kHighest 30% below ME	$168,600±$27kLowest 43% below ME
	Unity and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$873±$73Highest 23% below ME	$759±$141Lowest 33% below ME
	Unity and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$2,510Highest 17% below ME	$2,245Lowest 26% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	44.8%±13Highest ME: 48.4%	27.2%±28.8Lowest ME: 48.4%
	Unity and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	17.3%Highest ME: 10.7%	9.8%Lowest ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	72.3%Lowest ME: 74.3%	82.7%Highest ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1983Highest 6 yrs newer than ME	1980Lowest 3 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	21 minLowest 14% below ME	21 minHighest 13% below ME
Work from home	15.8%±7.6Highest ME: 15.9%	4.8%±5.9Lowest ME: 15.9%
	Unity and Jay 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	—	#86 of 133 in ME
School district	RSU 03/MSAD 03 · Ecology Learning Center	RSU 73
High school in town	Ecology Learning Ctr	Spruce Mountain High School
Students per teacherat that high school	12.4Lowest	12.7Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.