Compare towns
Benson vs Lancaster vs Dresden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benson has the most people working from home (18.6%).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
Dresden has the oldest population (median age 59).
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 | Benson | Lancaster | Dresden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 784 |
3,216Highest |
551Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-8.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-17.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
45.5±6.9Lowest 17% above U.S. |
59±2.8Highest 52% above U.S. |
| Dresden and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±6.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Lancaster and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±5.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lancaster and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
22.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8kHighest about the U.S. average |
$68,911±$23k 15% below U.S. |
$64,180±$9kLowest 21% below U.S. |
| Benson and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26kHighest 27% below U.S. |
$215,700±$24k 35% below U.S. |
$191,500±$48kLowest 42% below U.S. |
| Benson and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Highest 21% below U.S. |
$1,019±$263Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,066±$109 25% below U.S. |
| Benson and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 32% above U.S. |
$4,226Highest 35% above U.S. |
$3,138Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.1%±17Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±48.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Benson and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1965 15 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
1%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Lancaster 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 | — | #107 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | White Mountains Regional School District | — |
| High school 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.