Compare towns
Canterbury vs Kensington vs Plainfield vs Thornton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Canterbury has the most homeowners (93.7%).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
Plainfield has the most kids (23.4% under 18).
Thornton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.8%).
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 | Canterbury | Kensington | Plainfield | Thornton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,353 |
2,009Lowest |
2,522 |
2,799Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.6% NH: +4.6% |
-1.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4% NH: +4.6% |
+8.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±3.8 12% above NH |
43.3±5.9 about the NH average |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
51.1±3.4Highest 18% above NH |
| Thornton and Canterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±4.4 NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
13.9%±4.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Canterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.9%±3.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5 NH: 20.1% |
19%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Canterbury and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 49.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
46.7% NH: 40.6% |
46.3%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.8%±3Highest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.9 NH: 6% |
| Canterbury and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $129,333±$37k 31% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$122,656±$13k 24% above NH |
$90,022±$17kLowest 9% below NH |
| Kensington and Canterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $443,700±$21k 10% above NH |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$351,900±$20kLowest 13% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,136±$233Highest 43% above NH |
$1,813±$627 22% above NH |
$1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,270±$428Lowest 15% below NH |
| Canterbury and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,421 11% above NH |
$9,637Highest 45% above NH |
$7,904 19% above NH |
$5,032Lowest 25% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 71.7%±48.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
57.7%±24.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Canterbury and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
9.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
92.9% NH: 72.8% |
87.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 22% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
23 min 15% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.6%±7.4 NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
29.8%±9.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Thornton and Canterbury 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 | — | — | #19 of 120 in NH | #18 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Shaker Regional School District | Kensington School District | Plainfield School District | Thornton School District |
| High school in town | None 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.