Compare towns
Atkinson vs Lee vs Stratham
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).
Lee has the most affordable homes ($481k median).
Stratham has the most expensive homes ($655k 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 | Lee | Stratham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,267 |
4,576Lowest |
7,754Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% NH: +4.6% |
+4.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
42.9±1.9 about the NH average |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.9%±5.6 NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Stratham and Lee 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%±6.8 NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
50.6% NH: 40.6% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
5.4%±2.6 NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Lowest NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Lee 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 |
$131,579±$54kLowest 33% above NH |
$151,998±$20kHighest 53% above NH |
| Stratham 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 |
$480,600±$61kLowest 19% above NH |
$655,400±$36kHighest 63% above NH |
| Stratham 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 |
— | $2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,918Lowest 4% above NH |
$9,661 45% above NH |
$9,781Highest 47% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
38.3%±53.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Stratham 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% |
2.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
95.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 6% above NH |
28 min about the NH average |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 21.1%±6.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27.6%±8.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Lee and Stratham 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 | #3 of 120 in NH | #43 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Oyster River Coop School District | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 10 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.