Compare towns
Derby vs Laconia vs Sanbornton
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 has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Laconia has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Sanbornton has the highest household income ($114k).
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 | Derby | Laconia | Sanbornton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537 |
17,085Highest |
3,053Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 33% above U.S. |
45.3±3.9 16% above U.S. |
41.9±5.4Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.4%±2.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.1%±5.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Laconia and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.8%±2.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.5%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Derby and Laconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
27.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±1.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Laconia and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the U.S. average |
$73,218±$12kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$113,750±$41kHighest 41% above U.S. |
| Sanbornton and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $225,000±$10kLowest 32% below U.S. |
$340,300±$16k about the U.S. average |
$452,300±$30kHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,224±$107 13% below U.S. |
$1,289±$198Highest 9% below U.S. |
| Sanbornton and Laconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,449Lowest 11% above U.S. |
$4,484 44% above U.S. |
$5,731Highest 84% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
54.5%±10.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
29.3%±23.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Laconia and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
64.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 23% above U.S. |
17 minLowest 36% below U.S. |
31 min 18% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.5%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.8%±6.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sanbornton and Laconia 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 | #52 of 70 in VT | #105 of 120 in NH | #42 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Laconia School District | Winnisquam Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Laconia High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.0 |
— |
| 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.