What stands out worked out from the figures below

Acton has the most people working from home (18.2%).

Barnstead has the most kids (21% 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Acton	Barnstead
People
Population	2,721Lowest	4,994Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+9.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	+7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	52.9±4.2Highest 36% above U.S.	42.8±3.1Lowest 10% above U.S.
Kids under 18	13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22%	21%±5Highest U.S.: 22%
	Barnstead and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	26.2%±4.9Highest U.S.: 17.2%	20.6%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	Acton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	30.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	5.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Barnstead and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average	$111,660±$12kHighest 38% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$334,300±$34kLowest about the U.S. average	$362,400±$25kHighest 9% above U.S.
	Barnstead and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$1,395±$75 about the U.S. average
Property taxmedian, yearly	$2,680Lowest 14% below U.S.	$6,003Highest 92% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1%	47.6%±50.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Acton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2%	93.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S.	1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	40 minHighest 53% above U.S.	31 minLowest 18% above U.S.
Work from home	18.2%±8.5Highest U.S.: 15.1%	13%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Acton and Barnstead 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	#43 of 133 in ME	#111 of 120 in NH
School district	Acton Public Schools	Barnstead School District
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.