Compare towns
Atkinson vs Epping vs Plainfield vs Hampstead
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).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Plainfield has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Hampstead has the most renters (17.9% rent).
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 | Epping | Plainfield | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,267 |
7,430 |
2,522Lowest |
9,102Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% NH: +4.6% |
+11.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
45.1±3.5 4% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.7%±4.8 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Hampstead 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% |
22.6%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% NH: 40.6% |
37%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±3.3 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Epping 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 48% above NH |
$104,220±$7kLowest 5% above NH |
$122,656±$13k 24% above NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
| Atkinson and Plainfield 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 |
$436,900±$35kLowest 9% above NH |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 |
$1,742±$576Highest 17% above NH |
$1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,299±$149 13% below NH |
| Epping and Plainfield 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 |
$6,936 4% above NH |
$7,904 19% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1 NH: 48.2% |
67.8%±25.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Epping 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 NH: 7.2% |
4.7% NH: 7.2% |
5.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3% NH: 72.8% |
87.3% NH: 72.8% |
82.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1989Highest 10 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
32 minHighest 21% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
24%±6.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Epping and Atkinson 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 | #77 of 120 in NH | #19 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Epping School District | Plainfield School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Epping High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.3 |
— | — |
| 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.