Compare towns
Atkinson vs Hooksett vs Kensington
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
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 | Kensington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,267 |
15,057Highest |
2,009Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% NH: +4.6% |
+10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
43.3±5.9 about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
| Hooksett and Kensington 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% |
18.8%±2.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7% NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
48.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Lowest 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±$32k 48% above NH |
$117,962±$11kLowest 19% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
| Kensington and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $555,200±$65k 38% above NH |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
| Kensington and Atkinson 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±$206 11% above NH |
$1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
| Kensington and Hooksett 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 |
$6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$9,637Highest 45% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Hooksett 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%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.9% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6% NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
29 minHighest 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Kensington 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 | — |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Hooksett School District | Kensington School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.