Compare towns
Appleton vs Hooksett vs Strong vs Union
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 the oldest population (median age 49.2).
Hooksett has the most expensive homes ($407k median).
Strong has the most affordable homes ($184k median).
Union has the most kids (24.9% under 18).
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 | Appleton | Hooksett | Strong | Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,360 |
15,057Highest |
1,249Lowest |
2,663 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4Highest 26% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
47.5±8.9 22% above U.S. |
41.6±5.3 7% above U.S. |
| Appleton and Strong 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% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
19.5%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
24.9%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Union and Strong 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% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Appleton and Strong are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
26.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.1%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $53,618±$19k 34% below U.S. |
$117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$47,557±$10kLowest 41% below U.S. |
$80,724±$9k about the U.S. average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,600±$33k 29% below U.S. |
$407,000±$26kHighest 22% above U.S. |
$183,900±$29kLowest 45% below U.S. |
$267,600±$42k 20% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82 22% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$920±$276Lowest 35% below U.S. |
$1,179±$452 17% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Union 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. |
$6,554Highest 110% above U.S. |
$1,950Lowest 37% below U.S. |
$3,276 5% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
20.9%±52.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
24.6%±19.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Appleton and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
13.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.5%±9.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Strong and Union 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 | — | #30 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | Hooksett School District | RSU 58/MSAD 58 | RSU 40/MSAD 40 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.