Compare towns
Atkinson vs Hooksett vs Chester 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).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k median).
Chester has the most homeowners (97.7%).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% 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 | Hooksett | Chester | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,267 |
15,057Highest |
5,300Lowest |
9,102 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+9.7% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
47.2±3.8 9% above NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
19.6%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Chester 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% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.4%±4 NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
41.1% NH: 40.6% |
44.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
4.4%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Atkinson 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 |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$142,212±$19k 44% above NH |
$112,348±$18kLowest 13% above NH |
| Atkinson and Chester 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 |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$552,300±$42k 37% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Atkinson and Chester 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 |
$1,661±$206Highest 11% above NH |
— | $1,299±$149 13% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918 4% above NH |
$6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$8,464 27% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
19%±72.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6% NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
97.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
35 minHighest 31% above NH |
30 min 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16.4%±5.1 NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 | #30 of 120 in NH | #90 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Hooksett School District | Chester School District | Hampstead School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.