Compare towns
Barnstead vs Petersham 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%).
Petersham has the oldest population (median age 56.3).
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 | Petersham | Gilmanton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,994Highest |
1,185Lowest |
4,026 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1Lowest 10% above U.S. |
56.3±2.7Highest 45% above U.S. |
45±4.4 16% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 21%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.7%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.5%±6.4 U.S.: 22% |
| 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
30.5%±4.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Barnstead and Gilmanton 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. |
$110,750±$20kLowest 37% above 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±$25kLowest 9% above U.S. |
$392,400±$20kHighest 18% above U.S. |
$363,700±$42k 9% above U.S. |
| Petersham and Gilmanton 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 |
$1,679±$441Highest 19% above U.S. |
$1,125±$421Lowest 20% below U.S. |
| Petersham and Barnstead 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. |
$4,636Lowest 49% above U.S. |
$6,235Highest 100% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
20%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| 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%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
99.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1962Lowest 18 yrs older than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 18% above U.S. |
39 minHighest 46% above U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.2%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.3%±5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Petersham 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 | — | #25 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | Petersham | 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.