Compare towns
Alton vs Putney vs Atkinson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Alton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.3%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Atkinson has the most expensive homes ($555k median).
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 | Putney | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,994 |
2,622Lowest |
7,267Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.7±3.2 38% above U.S. |
37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
| Atkinson and Alton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
15.4%±4.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Putney 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Atkinson and Alton 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
48.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.8%±0.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.8%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,715±$19k 41% above U.S. |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the U.S. average |
$146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
| 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±$37k 29% above U.S. |
$300,000±$44kLowest 10% below U.S. |
$555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$1,140±$32Highest 19% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,183Lowest 34% above U.S. |
$5,313 70% above U.S. |
$6,918Highest 122% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 31.7%±27.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.2%±19.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
66.5%±39.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Atkinson and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.1%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±6.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Atkinson and Putney 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 70 in VT | #32 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Prospect Mountain JMA School District · Alton School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | Prospect Mountain High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | 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.