Compare towns
Barnstead vs Brighton vs Gilmanton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Barnstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7%).
Brighton has the most affordable homes ($164k median).
Gilmanton has the most homeowners (99.2%).
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 | Barnstead | Brighton | Gilmanton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,994Highest |
1,167Lowest |
4,026 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1Lowest 10% above U.S. |
45.2±11.6Highest 16% above U.S. |
45±4.4 16% above U.S. |
| Brighton and Gilmanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.3%±5.7 U.S.: 22% |
17.5%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Barnstead and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.6%±4.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Brighton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
25.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.6%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Barnstead and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,660±$12k 38% above U.S. |
$47,375±$21kLowest 41% below U.S. |
$117,088±$9kHighest 45% above U.S. |
| Gilmanton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,400±$25k 9% above U.S. |
$163,900±$39kLowest 51% below U.S. |
$363,700±$42kHighest 9% above U.S. |
| Gilmanton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,395±$75Highest about the U.S. average |
$775±$33Lowest 45% below U.S. |
$1,125±$421 20% below U.S. |
| Barnstead and Gilmanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,003 92% above U.S. |
$3,360Lowest 8% above U.S. |
$6,235Highest 100% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Gilmanton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
22%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
51.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
99.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 18% above U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.4%±8.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.3%±5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Barnstead and Brighton 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 | #111 of 120 in NH | — | #25 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | Brighton School District | Gilmanton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.