Compare towns
Canterbury vs Lyndeborough vs Northfield
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
Lyndeborough has the oldest population (median age 50).
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($289k 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 | Canterbury | Lyndeborough | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,353 |
1,616Lowest |
4,971Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.1% NH: +4.6% |
+0.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.6±3.8 12% above NH |
50±3.2Highest 15% above NH |
42.6±5.1Lowest about the NH average |
| Lyndeborough 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% |
14.9%±5.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.3%±4.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Northfield 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% |
22.6%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Canterbury and Lyndeborough 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% |
40.1% NH: 40.6% |
23.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.8%±3Highest NH: 6% |
3.7%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±2.5 NH: 6% |
| Canterbury and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $129,333±$37kHighest 31% above NH |
$116,964±$17k 18% above NH |
$92,917±$15kLowest 6% below NH |
| Canterbury and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $443,700±$21kHighest 10% above NH |
$390,900±$26k about the NH average |
$288,500±$33kLowest 28% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,136±$233Highest 43% above NH |
$1,482±$457 about the NH average |
$1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
| Canterbury and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,421Highest 11% above NH |
$7,133 7% above NH |
$5,097Lowest 24% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 71.7%±48.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
48.9%±90 NH: 48.2% |
24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Canterbury and Lyndeborough 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% |
3.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest NH: 72.8% |
92.4% NH: 72.8% |
71.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 3 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1979Lowest same as NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 22% above NH |
39 minHighest 46% above NH |
26 minLowest 4% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.6%±7.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Canterbury and Lyndeborough 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 | — | — | #109 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Shaker Regional School District | Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District | Winnisquam Regional 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 |
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.