What stands out worked out from the figures below

Alstead has the oldest population (median age 56).

Cavendish has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.8%).

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	Alstead	Cavendish
People
Population	1,551Highest	1,242Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-3.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%	+1.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	56±3.3Highest 44% above U.S.	45.2±5.9Lowest 16% above U.S.
Kids under 18	12.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22%	18.3%±4.8Highest U.S.: 22%
	Cavendish and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	27.8%±4.2Highest U.S.: 17.2%	23.6%±2Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	Alstead and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	28.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	39.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.4%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	4.3%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Cavendish and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$64,526±$11kLowest 20% below U.S.	$89,063±$29kHighest 10% above U.S.
	Cavendish and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$271,600±$37kLowest 18% below U.S.	$285,100±$40kHighest 14% below U.S.
	Cavendish and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$1,000±$546 29% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,322Highest 71% above U.S.	$3,948Lowest 27% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	72.1%±22.3Highest U.S.: 51.1%	28.9%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Alstead and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	6.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	76%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	81.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1973Highest 7 yrs older than U.S.	1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	32 minHighest 20% above U.S.	19 minLowest 30% below U.S.
Work from home	12.1%±5.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	18.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Cavendish and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Fall Mountain Regional School District	Green Mountain Unified School District #77
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	18 photos →

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.