Compare towns
Barrington vs Castleton vs Hooksett 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
Barrington has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Castleton has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
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 | Barrington | Castleton | Hooksett | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,489 |
4,453 |
15,057Highest |
4,306Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.7±2.3 about the U.S. average |
38.3±4.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
41.3±1.5 6% above U.S. |
46.3±2.1Highest 19% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±6.4 U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.6%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Barrington and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.7%±4.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.4%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Castleton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
40.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.3%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
19.3%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $110,323±$14k 37% above U.S. |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$117,962±$11k 46% above U.S. |
$122,105±$22kHighest 51% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $399,100±$30k 20% above U.S. |
$224,800±$71kLowest 32% below U.S. |
$407,000±$26k 22% above U.S. |
$427,900±$29kHighest 29% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,867±$194Highest 32% above U.S. |
$1,137±$195Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206 18% above U.S. |
$1,635±$246 16% above U.S. |
| Barrington and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,121Highest 128% above U.S. |
$3,167Lowest about the U.S. average |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
$6,086 95% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.1%±25.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
67.7%±21.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
76.3%±30.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Strafford and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87% U.S.: 65.2% |
79%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
93.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 27% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
36 minHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.7%±4.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Barrington and Strafford 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 | #65 of 120 in NH | #39 of 70 in VT | #30 of 120 in NH | #73 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Barrington School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Hooksett 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 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.