Compare towns
Wells vs Stark 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%).
Stark has the oldest population (median age 58.8).
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 | Stark | Topsham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,148Highest |
419Lowest |
999 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-14%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.7±5.2 30% above U.S. |
58.8±3.6Highest 51% above U.S. |
50.1±5.9Lowest 29% above U.S. |
| Stark and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±6.9Lowest 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% |
27.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.2%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Stark 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
17.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.7%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Stark and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,417±$11kHighest 7% below U.S. |
$71,750±$23kLowest 11% below U.S. |
$72,308±$60k 10% below U.S. |
| Wells and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $243,000±$42kHighest 27% below U.S. |
$197,700±$34kLowest 41% below U.S. |
$222,900±$56k 33% below U.S. |
| Wells and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,313±$282Highest 7% below U.S. |
— | $908±$398Lowest 36% below U.S. |
| Wells and Topsham 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. |
$2,636Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$4,006Highest 28% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 62.5%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
66.7%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
91.9%±28.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Topsham and Stark 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% |
8.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
18.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 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 28% above U.S. |
35 min 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.3%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
14.2%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Topsham and Stark 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 | Stark School District | 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.