Compare towns
Alton vs Hampton Falls vs Gilford
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%).
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k median).
Gilford has the shortest commute (22 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 | Hampton Falls | Gilford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,994 |
2,328Lowest |
7,830Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 53.7±3.2Highest 24% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
48.2±3.9Lowest 11% above NH |
| Alton and Hampton Falls 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% |
19.1%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
20.6%±4.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Gilford and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.1%±4.5Highest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±3.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Alton and Hampton Falls 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% |
54.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
45.4% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.8%±0.8Lowest NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1Highest NH: 6% |
2.3%±1.2 NH: 6% |
| Hampton Falls and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,715±$19kLowest 15% above NH |
$166,157±$14kHighest 68% above NH |
$116,635±$11k 18% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $430,400±$37kLowest 7% above NH |
$772,600±$76kHighest 92% above NH |
$456,500±$56k 13% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,852±$475Highest 24% above NH |
$1,150±$747Lowest 23% below NH |
| Hampton Falls and Gilford 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$4,868 27% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 31.7%±27.7 NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
62.2%±8.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Gilford and Alton 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% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
93.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Lowest 5 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 24% above NH |
32 min 21% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
| Work from home | 13.1%±5.2Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.9%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Hampton Falls and Gilford 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 | — | #45 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Prospect Mountain JMA School District · Alton School District | Hampton Falls School District | Gilford School District |
| High school in town | Prospect Mountain High School | None in town | Gilford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Lowest |
— | 11.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.