Compare towns
Carroll vs Jefferson vs Lancaster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Carroll has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Jefferson has the most people working from home (17.5%).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% 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 | Carroll | Jefferson | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 659Lowest |
1,013 |
3,216Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-5.8% NH: +4.6% |
-8.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 62.4±4.8Highest 44% above NH |
58±3.5 34% above NH |
45.5±6.9Lowest 5% above NH |
| Carroll and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 7%±4.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
12.5%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Lancaster and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 39.5%±4.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±9.1 NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Carroll and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
30.1% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.2Lowest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.5 NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2Highest NH: 6% |
| Lancaster and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $64,821±$26kLowest 35% below NH |
$67,188±$13k 32% below NH |
$68,911±$23kHighest 30% below NH |
| Lancaster and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $261,500±$42k 35% below NH |
$296,700±$92kHighest 26% below NH |
$215,700±$24kLowest 46% below NH |
| Jefferson and Carroll are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,078±$241Highest 28% below NH |
$867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
$1,019±$263 32% below NH |
| Carroll and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,356Lowest 50% below NH |
$4,196 37% below NH |
$4,226Highest 37% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28%±47.5 NH: 48.2% |
16.7%±71.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Lancaster and Carroll are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.5%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.7% NH: 7.2% |
16.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
90.5% NH: 72.8% |
75.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 19% below NH |
35 minHighest 29% above NH |
23 min 14% below NH |
| Work from home | 4.6%±3.2Lowest NH: 16.8% |
17.5%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Jefferson and Lancaster 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 | — | — | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | — | White Mountains Regional School District |
| High school 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.