Compare towns

Wayne vs Lovell vs Islesboro

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 most expensive homes ($363k median).
Lovell has the most kids (15.4% under 18).
Islesboro has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3%).

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.

MeasureWayneLovellIslesboro
People
Population
1,101
1,353Highest
636Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5%Lowest
ME: +2.6%
-3.2%
ME: +2.6%
+3%Highest
ME: +2.6%
Median age
55.6±5.3
24% above ME
52.2±3.5Lowest
17% above ME
57±8.4Highest
27% above ME
Islesboro and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.4%±3.9
ME: 18.1%
15.4%±4.2Highest
ME: 18.1%
11.2%±6.9Lowest
ME: 18.1%
Lovell and Wayne 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%
26.5%±3.9Lowest
ME: 22.4%
40.6%±10.1Highest
ME: 22.4%
Islesboro 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%Highest
ME: 36.2%
36.1%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
47.8%
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.5%±2.8Highest
ME: 5.8%
6.3%±4.2
ME: 5.8%
0.9%±1.9Lowest
ME: 5.8%
Wayne and Lovell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,194±$26kHighest
25% above ME
$80,625±$20kLowest
8% above ME
$88,438±$44k
18% above ME
Wayne and Islesboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$362,800±$29kHighest
22% above ME
$295,000±$47k
about the ME average
$288,800±$140kLowest
about the ME average
Wayne and Lovell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$983±$554
14% below ME
$1,419±$178Highest
25% above ME
$938±$252Lowest
18% below ME
Lovell and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,289
8% above ME
$1,480Lowest
51% below ME
$4,300Highest
42% above ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25%±52.1Lowest
ME: 48.4%
45.3%±29.3Highest
ME: 48.4%
30.8%±85.4
ME: 48.4%
Lovell and Islesboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.9%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
10%
ME: 10.7%
15.1%Highest
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.9%
ME: 74.3%
88.9%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
91.8%Highest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
3 yrs newer than ME
1985Highest
8 yrs newer than ME
1974Lowest
3 yrs older than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
24% above ME
31 minHighest
28% above ME
8 minLowest
69% below ME
Work from home
26.2%±11.7Highest
ME: 15.9%
21.8%±10.2
ME: 15.9%
20.3%±8.8Lowest
ME: 15.9%
Wayne and Lovell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district RSU 38 RSU 72/MSAD 72 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
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.