Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Nelson vs Dublin
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bethlehem has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.7%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Dublin has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
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 | Bethlehem | Nelson | Dublin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,537Highest |
648Lowest |
1,688 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-4.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.6±8.5Highest 17% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
49.3±8.4 14% above NH |
| Bethlehem and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.7%±5.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
21.4%±3 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±5.5Highest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
25%±4.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Bethlehem and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
45.8% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±0.9Lowest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
4.2%±3.9Highest NH: 6% |
| Dublin and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,029±$18kLowest 14% below NH |
$99,792±$23k about the NH average |
$104,659±$14kHighest 6% above NH |
| Dublin and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,300±$22kLowest 28% below NH |
$340,900±$49k 15% below NH |
$430,500±$72kHighest 7% above NH |
| Dublin and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,174±$81Lowest 21% below NH |
$1,203±$243 19% below NH |
$1,325±$165Highest 11% below NH |
| Dublin and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,418Lowest 19% below NH |
$5,575 16% below NH |
$8,165Highest 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.3%±18.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
29.2%±8.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Bethlehem and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
9.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
83.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973 6 yrs older than NH |
1975Highest 4 yrs older than NH |
1968Lowest 11 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 24% below NH |
24 min 9% below NH |
28 minHighest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 31.2%±12.9 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
22%±10.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Bethlehem 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 | #34 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | Bethlehem School District · Profile School District | Nelson School District | Contoocook Valley School District |
| High school in town | Profile Senior High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 8.9 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.