Compare towns
Bridgewater vs Jefferson vs Alstead vs Temple
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bridgewater has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.1%).
Jefferson has the most homeowners (90.5%).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Temple has the most kids (14.3% under 18).
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 | Bridgewater | Jefferson | Alstead | Temple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,169 |
1,013Lowest |
1,551Highest |
1,363 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-5.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-3.8% NH: +4.6% |
+1.2% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 58.3±6.3Highest 35% above NH |
58±3.5 34% above NH |
56±3.3 29% above NH |
49.5±7.3Lowest 14% above NH |
| Bridgewater and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 10.8%±3.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
12.5%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
12.3%±3.1 NH: 18.2% |
14.3%±3.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Temple and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 33.1%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±9.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.8%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
17.8%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Jefferson and Bridgewater are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.8% NH: 40.6% |
28.4% NH: 40.6% |
28.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
36.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.3%±1.2Lowest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.5 NH: 6% |
3.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
1.7%±1.1 NH: 6% |
| Alstead and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $82,361±$9k 17% below NH |
$67,188±$13k 32% below NH |
$64,526±$11kLowest 35% below NH |
$94,107±$15kHighest 5% below NH |
| Temple and Bridgewater are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $398,600±$65k about the NH average |
$296,700±$92k 26% below NH |
$271,600±$37kLowest 33% below NH |
$401,000±$27kHighest about the NH average |
| Temple and Bridgewater are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,125±$201 25% below NH |
$867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
— | $1,169±$523Highest 22% below NH |
| Temple and Bridgewater are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,823Lowest 58% below NH |
$4,196 37% below NH |
$5,322 20% below NH |
$6,983Highest 5% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.1%±13.6 NH: 48.2% |
16.7%±71.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
72.1%±22.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
30.2%±54.1 NH: 48.2% |
| Below poverty line | 11.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
8.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.9% NH: 7.2% |
9.4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.7% NH: 72.8% |
90.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
76%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1973Lowest 6 yrs older than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minLowest 13% above NH |
35 min 29% above NH |
32 min 19% above NH |
37 minHighest 37% above NH |
| Work from home | 8%±3.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
17.5%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
12.1%±5.6 NH: 16.8% |
16.9%±5.6 NH: 16.8% |
| Jefferson and Temple are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Newfound Area School District | — | Fall Mountain Regional School District | Contoocook Valley School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.