Compare towns
Waterville vs Saco vs Sutton vs Derby Line
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 oldest population (median age 49.1).
Saco has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.3%).
Sutton has the most homeowners (85%).
Derby Line has the most affordable homes ($201k 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 | Waterville | Saco | Sutton | Derby Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 680Lowest |
20,819Highest |
790 |
783 |
| 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% |
+2.1% 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. |
46.7±13.3 20% above U.S. |
| Waterville and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.4%±8.2 U.S.: 22% |
16.7%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.3%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
22.6%±8.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Derby Line and Waterville 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%±2.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.9%±6.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Derby Line and Sutton 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% |
35.2% 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% |
3.4%±2.3 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. |
$71,518±$25k 11% below U.S. |
| Saco and Derby Line 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±$41k 31% below U.S. |
$201,000±$52kLowest 40% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,110±$93 21% below U.S. |
$1,249±$385Highest 12% below U.S. |
— | $835±$334Lowest 41% 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 | $3,957 27% above U.S. |
$4,807Highest 54% above U.S. |
$3,975 27% above U.S. |
$3,275Lowest 5% 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%±31.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
35.4%±24.3Lowest 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% |
7.3% 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% |
83% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs 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. |
24 min 8% below 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% |
13.5%±9.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Saco and Derby Line 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 | 6 photos → | 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.