Compare towns

Washington vs Acton vs Stoddard

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 most expensive homes ($359k median).
Acton has the most people working from home (18.2%).
Stoddard has the most kids (17.5% 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.

MeasureWashingtonActonStoddard
People
Population
1,208
2,721Highest
1,072Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
55±4.7Highest
41% above U.S.
52.9±4.2Lowest
36% above U.S.
53±4
36% above U.S.
Washington and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.8%±4.9
U.S.: 22%
13.1%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.5%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Stoddard and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29%±3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.2%±4.9
U.S.: 17.2%
24.4%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Washington and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32%
U.S.: 35.7%
24.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
3.5%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Washington and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$89,453±$12k
11% above U.S.
$78,750±$15kLowest
about the U.S. average
$94,904±$11kHighest
18% above U.S.
Stoddard and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$358,600±$32kHighest
8% above U.S.
$334,300±$34k
about the U.S. average
$330,300±$20kLowest
about the U.S. average
Washington and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,106±$160Highest
22% below U.S.
—
$895±$751Lowest
37% below U.S.
Washington and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,321Highest
39% above U.S.
$2,680Lowest
14% below U.S.
$4,316
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±88.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
100%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.6%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
Acton and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
93.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 min
34% above U.S.
40 minHighest
53% above U.S.
34 minLowest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
14.9%±5.3
U.S.: 15.1%
18.2%±8.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.5%±4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Acton 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 — #43 of 133 in ME —
School district Washington School District Acton Public Schools Stoddard School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.