Compare towns

Barton vs Barnstead vs Wells River

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barton has the most people working from home (16.5%).
Barnstead has the highest household income ($112k).
Wells River has the most renters (52.1% rent).

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.

MeasureBartonBarnsteadWells River
People
Population
730
4,994Highest
340Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
40±5.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
42.8±3.1Highest
10% above U.S.
42.7±12.7
10% above U.S.
Barnstead and Wells River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24.1%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
21%±5
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±6.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Barton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.2%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±4.8
U.S.: 17.2%
19.4%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Barton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
30.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
16.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
5.9%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
0.6%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Barnstead and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$40,833±$8k
49% below U.S.
$111,660±$12kHighest
38% above U.S.
$38,688±$5kLowest
52% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$146,900±$30kLowest
56% below U.S.
$362,400±$25kHighest
9% above U.S.
$170,800±$103k
49% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$761±$150Lowest
46% below U.S.
$1,395±$75Highest
about the U.S. average
$900±$336
36% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,185Lowest
about the U.S. average
$6,003Highest
92% above U.S.
$4,154
33% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.8%±18.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
47.6%±50.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
47.6%±14.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Barton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
25.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
38.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
52.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
93.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
47.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1945
35 yrs older than U.S.
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minLowest
18% above U.S.
31 minLowest
18% above U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
16.5%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±4.5
U.S.: 15.1%
5.2%±9.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Barton 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 #38 of 70 in VT #111 of 120 in NH —
School district — Barnstead School District —
High school 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.