Compare towns

Derby Center vs Plainfield vs Ludlow

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Derby Center has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.4%).
Plainfield has the highest household income ($123k).
Ludlow has the oldest housing (typical home built 1938).

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.

MeasureDerby CenterPlainfieldLudlow
People
Population
693Lowest
2,522Highest
808
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
61.1±7Highest
57% above U.S.
38.9±6.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
48.7±5.6
25% above U.S.
Derby Center and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.1%±6.3
U.S.: 22%
23.4%±5.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
13.1%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Plainfield and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
38.2%±6.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±0.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
16.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
46.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±3.4
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Plainfield and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$58,250±$10k
28% below U.S.
$122,656±$13kHighest
52% above U.S.
$56,667±$19kLowest
30% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$24kLowest
41% below U.S.
$442,400±$47kHighest
33% above U.S.
$304,000±$32k
9% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,078±$257
24% below U.S.
$1,674±$181Highest
18% above U.S.
$1,018±$91Lowest
28% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,505Lowest
20% below U.S.
$7,904Highest
153% above U.S.
$4,237
36% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.2%±26.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
31.8%±23.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
33%±13.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Derby Center and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
51.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
87.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
51.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
6 yrs older than U.S.
1977Highest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
16 minLowest
39% below U.S.
22 minHighest
17% below U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
Work from home
3.2%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.1%±8.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.3%±6.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Plainfield and Ludlow 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 —
School district — Plainfield School District —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.