Compare towns
Wells vs Otis vs Topsham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Otis has the most expensive homes ($397k median).
Topsham has the most kids (18% 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.
| Measure | Wells | Otis | Topsham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,148 |
1,624Highest |
999Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.7±5.2 30% above U.S. |
51±3.2Highest 31% above U.S. |
50.1±5.9Lowest 29% above U.S. |
| Otis and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
15.1%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18%±3.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Topsham and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±2.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
28%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.2%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Otis and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.7%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Wells and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,417±$11k 7% below U.S. |
$108,898±$6kHighest 35% above U.S. |
$72,308±$60kLowest 10% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $243,000±$42k 27% below U.S. |
$396,700±$40kHighest 19% above U.S. |
$222,900±$56kLowest 33% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,313±$282 7% below U.S. |
$1,318±$924Highest 7% below U.S. |
$908±$398Lowest 36% below U.S. |
| Otis and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,308 6% above U.S. |
$2,408Lowest 23% below U.S. |
$4,006Highest 28% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 62.5%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
63.3%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
91.9%±28.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Topsham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
1.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
18.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 48 minHighest 80% above U.S. |
34 minLowest 27% above U.S. |
35 min 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.3%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.3%±7.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.2%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Otis and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 | Farmington River Reg | Waits River Union High District #36 |
| 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.