Compare towns

Wayne vs Kennebunk vs Winthrop

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wayne has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Kennebunk has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.8%).
Winthrop has the most kids (22.9% 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.

MeasureWayneKennebunkWinthrop
People
Population
1,101Lowest
11,820Highest
6,191
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
+6.8%Highest
ME: +2.6%
+0.5%
ME: +2.6%
Median age
55.6±5.3Highest
24% above ME
54.6±3.3
22% above ME
43.6±5.3Lowest
about the ME average
Wayne and Kennebunk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.4%±3.9Lowest
ME: 18.1%
17.7%±3
ME: 18.1%
22.9%±5.6Highest
ME: 18.1%
Winthrop and Kennebunk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.2%±3.8
ME: 22.4%
30%±4Highest
ME: 22.4%
23.4%±5Lowest
ME: 22.4%
Kennebunk and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.8%
ME: 36.2%
51.2%Highest
ME: 36.2%
40%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.5%±2.8Highest
ME: 5.8%
2.7%±1.4Lowest
ME: 5.8%
3.5%±2.4
ME: 5.8%
Wayne and Winthrop are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,194±$26k
25% above ME
$107,804±$8kHighest
44% above ME
$86,470±$4kLowest
16% above ME
Kennebunk and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$362,800±$29k
22% above ME
$487,700±$21kHighest
64% above ME
$294,800±$41kLowest
about the ME average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$983±$554
14% below ME
$1,425±$290Highest
25% above ME
$892±$319Lowest
22% below ME
Kennebunk and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,289Lowest
8% above ME
$4,999Highest
65% above ME
$3,506
15% above ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25%±52.1Lowest
ME: 48.4%
37.1%±10.9
ME: 48.4%
50.8%±22.4Highest
ME: 48.4%
Winthrop and Kennebunk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.9%
ME: 10.7%
7.3%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
12.9%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.9%
ME: 74.3%
80.6%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
92.5%Highest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
3 yrs newer than ME
1983Highest
6 yrs newer than ME
1977Lowest
same as ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
24% above ME
27 minLowest
9% above ME
35 minHighest
41% above ME
Work from home
26.2%±11.7
ME: 15.9%
32.5%±7.6Highest
ME: 15.9%
23.1%±6.7Lowest
ME: 15.9%
Kennebunk and Wayne 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 — #9 of 133 in ME #12 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 38 RSU 21 Winthrop Public Schools
High school in town None in town Kennebunk High School Winthrop High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.6Lowest
11.7Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.