Compare towns
Atkinson vs Acton vs Alton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Atkinson has the most expensive homes ($555k median).
Acton has the most affordable homes ($334k median).
Alton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.3%).
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 | Atkinson | Acton | Alton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,267Highest |
2,721Lowest |
5,994 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
52.9±4.2Lowest 36% above U.S. |
53.7±3.2 38% 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 | 14.1%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
13.4%±4 U.S.: 22% |
| Atkinson and Alton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.2%±4.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
25.1%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Atkinson and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
35.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
0.8%±0.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Atkinson and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
$78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average |
$113,715±$19k 41% 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 | $555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
$334,300±$34kLowest about the U.S. average |
$430,400±$37k 29% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$32 19% below U.S. |
— | — |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918Highest 122% above U.S. |
$2,680Lowest 14% below U.S. |
$4,183 34% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
31.7%±27.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest same as U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 7% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.2%±8.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Atkinson and Acton 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 | #32 of 120 in NH | #43 of 133 in ME | #72 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Acton Public Schools | Prospect Mountain JMA School District · Alton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Prospect Mountain High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.1 |
| 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.