Compare towns
Barnstead vs Nottingham vs Sutton vs Strafford
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 the most affordable homes ($362k median).
Nottingham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.3%).
Sutton has the highest household income ($147k).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 46.3).
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 | Nottingham | Sutton | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,994 |
5,357 |
9,452Highest |
4,306Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1 10% above U.S. |
38.8±6.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
44.3±2.5 14% above U.S. |
46.3±2.1Highest 19% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5 U.S.: 22% |
23.9%±5.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.6%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
17.6%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Nottingham and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.6%±4.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.4%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.8%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.4%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Barnstead and Strafford 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
40.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
52.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.9%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $111,660±$12kLowest 38% above U.S. |
$122,201±$20k 51% above U.S. |
$147,125±$25kHighest 82% above U.S. |
$122,105±$22k 51% above U.S. |
| Sutton and Nottingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,400±$25kLowest 9% above U.S. |
$457,500±$26k 38% above U.S. |
$523,100±$47kHighest 57% above U.S. |
$427,900±$29k 29% above U.S. |
| Sutton and Nottingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,395±$75 about the U.S. average |
$2,068±$1kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$1,190±$401Lowest 16% below U.S. |
$1,635±$246 16% above U.S. |
| Nottingham and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,003Lowest 92% above U.S. |
$7,319Highest 135% above U.S. |
$6,763 117% above U.S. |
$6,086 95% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
92.1%±44.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.5%±24.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
76.3%±30.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Nottingham and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 18% above U.S. |
34 min 28% above U.S. |
30 minLowest 12% above U.S. |
36 minHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.2%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.7%±4.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sutton and Nottingham 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 | #15 of 120 in NH | #105 of 282 in MA | #73 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | Nottingham School District | Sutton | Strafford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Sutton High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.6 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.