Compare towns

Waterville vs Saco vs Sutton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waterville has the most kids (20.4% under 18).
Saco has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.3%).
Sutton has the most homeowners (85%).

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.

MeasureWatervilleSacoSutton
People
Population
680Lowest
20,819Highest
790
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-11.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
49.1±8.2Highest
26% above U.S.
44.9±1.5Lowest
15% above U.S.
46.6±5.7
20% above U.S.
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.7%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.3%±3.4
U.S.: 22%
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.4%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.5%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
21.6%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Sutton and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
43.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
32.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Waterville and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below U.S.
$92,241±$11kHighest
14% above U.S.
$71,250±$18kLowest
12% below U.S.
Saco and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$236,300±$15k
29% below U.S.
$413,100±$17kHighest
24% above U.S.
$231,100±$41kLowest
31% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,110±$93Lowest
21% below U.S.
$1,249±$385Highest
12% below U.S.
—
Saco and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,957Lowest
27% above U.S.
$4,807Highest
54% above U.S.
$3,975
27% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±27.2
U.S.: 51.1%
50.3%±14Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
37.8%±31.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Saco and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
12.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
85%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
42% above U.S.
24 minLowest
10% below U.S.
30 min
12% above U.S.
Work from home
8.5%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.6%±5.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Saco and Sutton 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 — #38 of 133 in ME —
School district Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Saco Public Schools Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
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.