Compare towns
Chester vs South Hooksett vs Gilmanton vs Gilford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chester has the most expensive homes ($552k median).
South Hooksett has the youngest population (median age 35.2).
Gilmanton has the most affordable homes ($364k median).
Gilford has the shortest commute (22 min average).
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 | Chester | South Hooksett | Gilmanton | Gilford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,300 |
5,902 |
4,026Lowest |
7,830Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+8.7% NH: +4.6% |
+4.4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 47.2±3.8 9% above NH |
35.2±3.6Lowest 19% below NH |
45±4.4 4% above NH |
48.2±3.9Highest 11% above NH |
| Gilford and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.6%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
16.3%±3.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.5%±6.4 NH: 18.2% |
20.6%±4.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Gilford and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.4%±4 NH: 20.1% |
13.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±4.4 NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±3.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Gilford and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.1% NH: 40.6% |
37.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
37.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
45.4%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±2.1 NH: 6% |
14.3%±0.8Highest NH: 6% |
4.2%±2.8 NH: 6% |
2.3%±1.2Lowest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $142,212±$19kHighest 44% above NH |
$130,000±$15k 31% above NH |
$117,088±$9k 18% above NH |
$116,635±$11kLowest 18% above NH |
| Chester and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $552,300±$42kHighest 37% above NH |
$433,200±$40k 8% above NH |
$363,700±$42kLowest 10% below NH |
$456,500±$56k 13% above NH |
| Chester and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,471±$217Highest about the NH average |
$1,125±$421Lowest 25% below NH |
$1,150±$747 23% below NH |
| South Hooksett and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,464Highest 27% above NH |
$6,801 about the NH average |
$6,235 6% below NH |
$4,868Lowest 27% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 19%±72.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±25 NH: 48.2% |
57.1%±100 NH: 48.2% |
62.2%±8.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Gilford and Gilmanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.7% NH: 72.8% |
82.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
99.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
93.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
1985 6 yrs newer than NH |
1981Lowest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above NH |
26 min about the NH average |
33 min 23% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
| Work from home | 16.4%±5.1 NH: 16.8% |
7.1%±2.4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
8.3%±5 NH: 16.8% |
16.9%±4.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Gilford and Chester 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 | #90 of 120 in NH | — | #25 of 120 in NH | #45 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Chester School District | — | Gilmanton School District | Gilford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | Gilford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 11.5 |
| 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.