Compare towns

Washington vs Calais vs Somerville

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the oldest population (median age 48.2).
Calais has the most expensive homes ($390k median).
Somerville has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.5%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonCalaisSomerville
People
Population
1,624
1,713Highest
837Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
48.2±6.7Highest
24% above U.S.
42±8.6
8% above U.S.
33.5±11.3Lowest
14% below U.S.
Washington and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.5%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
28.8%±7Highest
U.S.: 22%
Somerville and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.3%±4.3
U.S.: 17.2%
21.6%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.7%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Calais and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
17.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
55.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
25.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
7.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.8%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Calais and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$59,861±$17kLowest
26% below U.S.
$100,625±$27kHighest
25% above U.S.
$71,250±$15k
12% below U.S.
Calais and Somerville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$195,200±$36kLowest
41% below U.S.
$390,300±$36kHighest
17% above U.S.
$218,100±$41k
34% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,036±$322Lowest
27% below U.S.
$1,408±$392
about the U.S. average
$1,583±$265Highest
12% above U.S.
Somerville and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,286Lowest
27% below U.S.
$6,586Highest
111% above U.S.
$2,505
20% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.3%±62.8
U.S.: 51.1%
49%±38.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
65.7%±58.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Somerville and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
15.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
17%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
21% above U.S.
31 min
18% above U.S.
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
14.6%±5.9
U.S.: 15.1%
23.4%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
3.9%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Calais and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district RSU 40/MSAD 40 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 RSU 12
High school in town None 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.