Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Ogunquit vs Orford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has the most kids (17.7% under 18).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Orford has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureBethlehemOgunquitOrford
People
Population
2,537Highest
1,379
1,295Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+76.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
0%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±8.5
30% above U.S.
62.8±4.8Highest
61% above U.S.
48.9±3.3Lowest
26% above U.S.
Ogunquit and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.7%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
5.7%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
Bethlehem and Orford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±5.5
U.S.: 17.2%
43.6%±10.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
25.5%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ogunquit and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
45.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
63.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
44%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.8
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Orford and Ogunquit 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
5% above U.S.
$114,259±$56kHighest
42% above U.S.
$92,571±$24k
15% above U.S.
Ogunquit and Orford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,300±$22k
13% below U.S.
$875,700±$79kHighest
163% above U.S.
$271,900±$25kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,174±$81Lowest
17% below U.S.
—
$1,263±$686Highest
11% below U.S.
Orford and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,418
74% above U.S.
$4,473Lowest
43% above U.S.
$5,836Highest
87% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.3%±18.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±61.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
37.8%±10.7
U.S.: 51.1%
Bethlehem and Orford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
1978Highest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
23% below U.S.
26 minHighest
about the U.S. average
26 min
3% below U.S.
Work from home
31.2%±12.9
U.S.: 15.1%
43.3%±12.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Ogunquit 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 — Rivendell Interstate School District
High school in town Profile Senior High School — Rivendell Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9Lowest
—
9.5Highest
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.