Compare towns
Derry vs Methuen vs Concord
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derry has the oldest population (median age 41).
Methuen has the most expensive homes ($500k median).
Concord has the shortest commute (23 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 | Derry | Methuen | Concord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,339Lowest |
53,475Highest |
44,375 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41±3Highest 5% above U.S. |
39.9±1.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
40.7±1.3 5% above U.S. |
| Derry and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.9%±2.8 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±1.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Methuen and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.8%±2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±1.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.7%±1.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Concord and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
31%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±2.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.7%±1 U.S.: 6.4% |
6%±0.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Derry and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $91,673±$11k 14% above U.S. |
$113,310±$7kHighest 40% above U.S. |
$84,902±$5kLowest 5% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $391,200±$23k 18% above U.S. |
$499,700±$17kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$350,900±$13kLowest 5% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,549±$137 10% above U.S. |
$1,749±$91Highest 24% above U.S. |
$1,441±$43Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Methuen and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,278Highest 133% above U.S. |
$5,061Lowest 62% above U.S. |
$7,227 132% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.7%±9.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.4%±6.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Derry and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 59.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
56.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.2%±3.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.2%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.1%±1.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Derry and Concord 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 | #236 of 282 in MA | #89 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Methuen | Concord School District · Merrimack Valley School District |
| High school in town | — | Methuen High | Concord High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.1Highest |
13.0Lowest |
| 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.