Compare towns
Derry vs Dover vs Milford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derry has the oldest population (median age 41).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Milford has the most kids (23.7% 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 | Derry | Dover | Milford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,339 |
33,364Highest |
16,337Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+6.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41±3Highest 5% below NH |
36.9±1.9 15% below NH |
36.8±2.5Lowest 15% below NH |
| Derry and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.9%±2.8 NH: 18.2% |
16.9%±1.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.7%±3.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Milford and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.8%±2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
16.8%±1.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
15.1%±1.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Dover and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
52%Highest NH: 40.6% |
37.2% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±2.2Highest NH: 6% |
6.2%±1.2 NH: 6% |
4.2%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
| Derry and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $91,673±$11kLowest 7% below NH |
$94,829±$7k 4% below NH |
$97,768±$14kHighest about the NH average |
| Milford and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $391,200±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$436,700±$20kHighest 8% above NH |
$398,800±$20k about the NH average |
| Dover and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,549±$137Lowest 4% above NH |
$1,607±$100 8% above NH |
$1,661±$126Highest 11% above NH |
| Milford and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,278Lowest 9% above NH |
$8,249Highest 24% above NH |
$7,522 13% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.7%±9.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
48.6%±6.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
49.6%±15.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Derry and Milford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.4% NH: 7.2% |
8.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 59.1% NH: 72.8% |
52.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
64.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 3 yrs newer than NH |
1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1982Highest 3 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 10% above NH |
23 minLowest 15% below NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 14.2%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.6%±2.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.6%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Dover and Milford 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 | #60 of 120 in NH | #64 of 120 in NH | #55 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Dover School District | Milford School District |
| High school in town | — | Dover Senior High School | Milford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.7Highest |
10.7Lowest |
| 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.