Compare towns
Barnstead vs Deering vs Plaistow
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+7%).
Deering has the most affordable homes ($310k median).
Plaistow has the most expensive homes ($405k 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 | Barnstead | Deering | Plaistow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,994 |
1,938Lowest |
7,861Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-0.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+2.9% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1 about the NH average |
48.8±5.7Highest 13% above NH |
40.1±3.7Lowest 7% below NH |
| Deering and Barnstead 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% |
17.3%±4.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead and Plaistow 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% |
23.9%±1.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.4%±3.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Deering 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%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
31% NH: 40.6% |
34.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9Highest NH: 6% |
1.6%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.4 NH: 6% |
| Barnstead and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,660±$12kHighest 13% above NH |
$101,250±$16kLowest about the NH average |
$108,317±$13k 9% above NH |
| Barnstead and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,400±$25k 10% below NH |
$309,900±$27kLowest 23% below NH |
$404,500±$32kHighest about the NH average |
| Plaistow and Barnstead 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 |
$1,306±$116Lowest 12% below NH |
$1,664±$187Highest 12% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,003Lowest 10% below NH |
$6,223 7% below NH |
$7,194Highest 8% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9 NH: 48.2% |
23.9%±27.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
55.3%±16.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Plaistow and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
14.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4.5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
87.7% NH: 72.8% |
78.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1978 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 16% above NH |
40 minHighest 49% above NH |
29 minLowest 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5 NH: 16.8% |
10%±2.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
13.6%±4Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Plaistow 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 | — | #66 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | — | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | Timberlane Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.4 |
| 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.