Compare towns
Barnstead vs Candia vs Hooksett vs Gilmanton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Barnstead has the most kids (21% under 18).
Candia has the oldest population (median age 48.3).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
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 | Candia | Hooksett | Gilmanton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,994 |
4,134 |
15,057Highest |
4,026Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7% NH: +4.6% |
+2.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.4% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1 about the NH average |
48.3±3.8Highest 12% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
45±4.4 4% above NH |
| Candia and Gilmanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.8%±3.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
17.5%±6.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead and Gilmanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.6%±4.8 NH: 20.1% |
23.1%±4.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±4.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Candia 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% NH: 40.6% |
27.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Highest NH: 40.6% |
37.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9 NH: 6% |
5.7%±2.6 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
4.2%±2.8Lowest NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $111,660±$12kLowest 13% above NH |
$119,737±$37kHighest 21% above NH |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$117,088±$9k 18% above NH |
| Candia and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,400±$25kLowest 10% below NH |
$415,600±$46kHighest 3% above NH |
$407,000±$26k about the NH average |
$363,700±$42k 10% below NH |
| Candia and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,395±$75 6% below NH |
$1,213±$554 19% below NH |
$1,661±$206Highest 11% above NH |
$1,125±$421Lowest 25% below NH |
| Hooksett and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,003Lowest 10% below NH |
$6,100 9% below NH |
$6,554Highest about the NH average |
$6,235 6% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9 NH: 48.2% |
0%±21.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
57.1%±100Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Gilmanton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4% NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6% NH: 72.8% |
91.7% NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
99.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985 6 yrs newer than NH |
1979Lowest same as NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 16% above NH |
34 minHighest 29% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
33 min 23% above NH |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5 NH: 16.8% |
10.8%±4 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Highest NH: 16.8% |
8.3%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Hooksett and Barnstead 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 | #41 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #25 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | Candia School District | Hooksett School District | Gilmanton 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.