Compare towns

Appleton vs Hampstead vs Mapleton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Appleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Hampstead has the most expensive homes ($521k median).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k 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.

MeasureAppletonHampsteadMapleton
People
Population
1,360Lowest
9,102Highest
1,884
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
49.2±7.4Highest
26% above U.S.
45.3±6.1
16% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
Appleton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.3%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.7
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±9.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.8%±4
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Appleton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Hampstead and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,618±$19kLowest
34% below U.S.
$112,348±$18kHighest
39% above U.S.
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
Hampstead and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$235,600±$33k
29% below U.S.
$521,100±$45kHighest
57% above U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,104±$82
22% below U.S.
$1,299±$149Highest
8% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
Hampstead and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,588
15% above U.S.
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
85.4%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.1%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Appleton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
82.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
Work from home
11.1%±3.5
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #49 of 120 in NH —
School district Appleton Public Schools Hampstead School District RSU 79/MSAD 01
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 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.