Compare towns
Alton vs Atkinson vs Hampstead vs Wolfeboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Alton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.3%).
Atkinson has the highest household income ($146k).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Wolfeboro has the shortest commute (24 min average).
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 | Alton | Atkinson | Hampstead | Wolfeboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,994Lowest |
7,267 |
9,102Highest |
6,571 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+2.3%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 53.7±3.2 24% above NH |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
45.3±6.1Lowest 5% above NH |
57±1.8 32% above NH |
| Atkinson and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8 NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
13.7%±3.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±4.5 NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
34.6%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Wolfeboro and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.7% NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
45%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.8%±0.8Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
2.8%±1.8 NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $113,715±$19k 15% above NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
$94,375±$22kLowest 5% below NH |
| Atkinson and Alton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $430,400±$37kLowest 7% above NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
$546,500±$60k 36% above NH |
| Atkinson and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,140±$32 24% below NH |
$1,299±$149Highest 13% below NH |
$1,103±$76Lowest 26% below NH |
| Hampstead and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,183Lowest 37% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$4,531 32% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 31.7%±27.7 NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
12%±11.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.1% NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
92.6% NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
78.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Lowest 5 yrs older than NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 24% above NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
24 minLowest 11% below NH |
| Work from home | 13.1%±5.2Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
22.9%±6.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Wolfeboro and Atkinson 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 | #72 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH | #46 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Prospect Mountain JMA School District · Alton School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Hampstead School District | Governor Wentworth Regional School District |
| High school in town | Prospect Mountain High School | None in town | None in town | Kingswood Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
— | — | 11.1 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | 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.