Compare towns
Barnstead vs Sanbornton vs Gilmanton vs Strafford
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%).
Sanbornton has the most renters (14.1% rent).
Gilmanton has the most homeowners (99.2%).
Strafford has the highest household income ($122k).
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 | Sanbornton | Gilmanton | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,994Highest |
3,053Lowest |
4,026 |
4,306 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.4% NH: +4.6% |
+6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.8±3.1 about the NH average |
41.9±5.4Lowest 3% below NH |
45±4.4 4% above NH |
46.3±2.1Highest 7% above NH |
| Strafford 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% |
18.1%±5.5 NH: 18.2% |
17.5%±6.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.6%±3.5 NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead and Sanbornton 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% |
21.5%±4.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±4.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.4%±4.1 NH: 20.1% |
| Sanbornton 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% |
39.7% NH: 40.6% |
37.9% NH: 40.6% |
40.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.9%±2.9Highest NH: 6% |
1.9%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
4.2%±2.8 NH: 6% |
5.4%±2.6 NH: 6% |
| Barnstead and Strafford 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 |
$113,750±$41k 15% above NH |
$117,088±$9k 18% above NH |
$122,105±$22kHighest 23% above NH |
| Strafford and Gilmanton 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 |
$452,300±$30kHighest 12% above NH |
$363,700±$42k 10% below NH |
$427,900±$29k 6% above NH |
| Sanbornton and Strafford 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 |
$1,289±$198 14% below NH |
$1,125±$421Lowest 25% below NH |
$1,635±$246Highest 10% above NH |
| Strafford and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,003 10% below NH |
$5,731Lowest 14% below NH |
$6,235Highest 6% below NH |
$6,086 9% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.6%±50.9 NH: 48.2% |
29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
57.1%±100 NH: 48.2% |
76.3%±30.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Strafford and Gilmanton 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% |
4.8% NH: 7.2% |
4% NH: 7.2% |
8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6% NH: 72.8% |
85.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
99.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
93.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985 6 yrs newer than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
1981Lowest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1985 6 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 16% above NH |
31 minLowest 16% above NH |
33 min 23% above NH |
36 minHighest 34% above NH |
| Work from home | 13%±4.5 NH: 16.8% |
15.8%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
8.3%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
15.9%±5Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Strafford and Sanbornton 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 | #42 of 120 in NH | #25 of 120 in NH | #73 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barnstead School District | Winnisquam Regional School District | Gilmanton School District | Strafford 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.