Compare towns
Acton vs Hooksett vs Needham vs Concord
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.4%).
Needham has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Concord has the oldest population (median age 47.6).
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 | Acton | Hooksett | Needham | Concord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,155 |
5,876Lowest |
32,459Highest |
18,223 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+27.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±0.8 14% above U.S. |
42.6±2Lowest 10% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
47.6±2Highest 22% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
14.7%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.6%±2.6 U.S.: 22% |
| Needham and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.6%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.7%±3.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
23.7%±2.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Concord and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 79.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
41.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
79.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±3.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.5%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $158,230±$14k 96% above U.S. |
$101,053±$25kLowest 25% above U.S. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$195,350±$22k 142% above U.S. |
| Needham and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $807,300±$20k 143% above U.S. |
$348,100±$32kLowest 5% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43k 257% above U.S. |
$1,210,000±$72kHighest 264% above U.S. |
| Concord and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,986±$155 41% above U.S. |
$1,811±$283Lowest 28% above U.S. |
$2,409±$183 70% above U.S. |
$2,631±$166Highest 86% above U.S. |
| Concord and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$4,960Lowest 59% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.7%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±20.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
53.2%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Needham and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1987Highest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
32 min 23% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 35.9%±4.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
14.4%±4.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
36.1%±4.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Concord and Acton 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 | #13 of 282 in MA | #30 of 120 in NH | #19 of 282 in MA | #10 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Acton-Boxborough | — | Needham | Concord · Concord-Carlisle |
| High school in town | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | — | Needham High | Concord Carlisle High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.5Highest |
— | 11.9 |
11.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.