Compare towns
Chapman vs Mapleton vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chapman has the most kids (27.6% under 18).
Mapleton has the youngest population (median age 41.8).
Salem has the most expensive homes ($473k 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 | Chapman | Mapleton | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 388Lowest |
1,884 |
30,964Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.7±11.4Highest 17% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
44.6±2.7 15% above U.S. |
| Chapman and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 27.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Chapman and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.6%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 22.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
38.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chapman and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $93,125±$17k 15% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kLowest 14% above U.S. |
$110,490±$9kHighest 37% above U.S. |
| Salem and Chapman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $185,700±$22kLowest 44% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23k 42% below U.S. |
$473,300±$16kHighest 42% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,625±$146Highest 15% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,850 41% below U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$6,992Highest 124% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±9.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 6.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 12% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 4.8%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.3%±2.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Salem and Mapleton 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 | — | — | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Salem School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.2 |
| 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.