What stands out worked out from the figures below

Albany has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.3%).

Nelson has the most kids (27.5% 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	Albany	Nelson
People
Population	790Highest	648Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+3.3%Highest NH: +4.6%	-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6%
Median age	46.5±9.7Highest 7% above NH	42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average
	Albany and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	11.3%±3.3Lowest NH: 18.2%	27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2%
Age 65+	13.8%±2.5Lowest NH: 20.1%	24.8%±2Highest NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	37.7%Lowest NH: 40.6%	61.1%Highest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	5.1%±4Highest NH: 6%	0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6%
	Albany and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$67,639±$19kLowest 32% below NH	$99,792±$23kHighest about the NH average
	Nelson and Albany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$248,300±$68kLowest 38% below NH	$340,900±$49kHighest 15% below NH
	Nelson and Albany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,194±$112Lowest 20% below NH	$1,203±$243Highest 19% below NH
	Nelson and Albany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$2,554Lowest 62% below NH	$5,575Highest 16% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	44.2%±97.7Highest NH: 48.2%	40%±68.8Lowest NH: 48.2%
	Albany and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	14.3%Highest NH: 7.2%	1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	69.3%Lowest NH: 72.8%	90.2%Highest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1976Highest 3 yrs older than NH	1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	22 minLowest 17% below NH	24 minHighest 9% below NH
Work from home	16.2%±18.5Lowest NH: 16.8%	31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8%
	Nelson and Albany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	—	Nelson School District
High school in town	—	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

NH 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.