Compare towns
Atkinson vs Derry vs Durham vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Derry has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Durham has the youngest population (median age 20.8).
Salem has the oldest housing (typical home built 1977).
Durham is a college town. 55.1% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Derry | Durham | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,267Lowest |
34,116Highest |
15,080 |
30,964 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% NH: +4.6% |
+3.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
40.3±1.6 7% below NH |
20.8±0.3Lowest 52% below NH |
44.6±2.7 3% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8 NH: 18.2% |
20.7%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
10.3%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.2%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
11.5%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
18.6%±1.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% NH: 40.6% |
37.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
75.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
38.7% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.5 NH: 6% |
55.1%±3.2Highest NH: 6% |
4.3%±1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$108,944±$7kLowest 10% above NH |
$124,056±$21k 25% above NH |
$110,490±$9k 12% above NH |
| Atkinson and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$432,000±$17kLowest 7% above NH |
$504,300±$41k 25% above NH |
$473,300±$16k 18% above NH |
| Atkinson and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,547±$138 4% above NH |
$1,429±$143 4% below NH |
$1,625±$146Highest 9% above NH |
| Salem and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918Lowest 4% above NH |
$8,103 22% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$6,992 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±9 NH: 48.2% |
66.4%±16 NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±9.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
15.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
70.2% NH: 72.8% |
64.4%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
75.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
19 minLowest 27% below NH |
29 min 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
16%±2.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.4%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±2.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Durham 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 | #60 of 120 in NH | #9 of 120 in NH | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Pinkerton Academy | Oyster River High School | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.9Highest |
12.3 |
11.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | 51 photos → | 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.