Compare towns
Atkinson vs Dover vs Keene vs Derry
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).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k median).
Derry has the most kids (20.7% 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 | Atkinson | Dover | Keene | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,267Lowest |
33,364 |
22,939 |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% NH: +4.6% |
+9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+3.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
36.9±1.9Lowest 15% below NH |
37.6±2.3 13% below NH |
40.3±1.6 7% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.9%±1.8 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.7%±2.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Derry and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.8%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
19.5%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% NH: 40.6% |
52%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.1% NH: 40.6% |
37.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4Lowest NH: 6% |
6.2%±1.2 NH: 6% |
13.8%±1.4Highest NH: 6% |
6.1%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$94,829±$7k 4% below NH |
$78,445±$8kLowest 21% below NH |
$108,944±$7k 10% above NH |
| Atkinson and Derry 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 |
$436,700±$20k 8% above NH |
$252,500±$12kLowest 37% below NH |
$432,000±$17k 7% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,607±$100Highest 8% above NH |
$1,342±$68 10% below NH |
$1,547±$138 4% above NH |
| Dover and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918 4% above NH |
$8,249Highest 24% above NH |
$6,812Lowest about the NH average |
$8,103 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
48.6%±6.3 NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±6.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±9 NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Derry 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% |
8.3% NH: 7.2% |
10.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
52.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
55.1% NH: 72.8% |
70.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1961Lowest 18 yrs older than NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
23 min 15% below NH |
17 minLowest 36% below NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.6%±2.5 NH: 16.8% |
15.6%±2.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16%±2.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Dover 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 | #64 of 120 in NH | #81 of 120 in NH | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Dover School District | Keene School District | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Dover Senior High School | Keene High School | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.7 |
12.3Lowest |
13.9Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | 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.