Compare towns
Derry vs Sandown vs Somersworth
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).
Sandown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.4%).
Somersworth has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
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 | Sandown | Somersworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,339Highest |
6,628Lowest |
12,111 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.9% NH: +4.6% |
+9.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41±3Highest 5% below NH |
40.8±3.7 6% below NH |
38.4±2.7Lowest 11% below NH |
| Derry and Sandown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.9%±2.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22.6%±6.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Sandown and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.8%±2Highest NH: 20.1% |
14.2%±4 NH: 20.1% |
14%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Derry and Sandown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34.1% NH: 40.6% |
31.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±2.2Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±2.6 NH: 6% |
4.9%±2Lowest NH: 6% |
| Derry and Sandown 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 7% below NH |
$135,040±$25kHighest 36% above NH |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $391,200±$23k about the NH average |
$483,400±$44kHighest 20% above NH |
$318,400±$23kLowest 21% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,549±$137 4% above NH |
$1,893±$721Highest 27% above NH |
$1,477±$134Lowest about the NH average |
| Sandown and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,278 9% above NH |
$8,801Highest 32% above NH |
$6,805Lowest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.7%±9.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
64.1%±48.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7 NH: 48.2% |
| Sandown and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
10.8% NH: 7.2% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 59.1% NH: 72.8% |
82.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
57.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 10% above NH |
33 minHighest 25% above NH |
26 minLowest 3% below NH |
| Work from home | 14.2%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
27.4%±13.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Sandown and Derry 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 | #71 of 120 in NH | #117 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Timberlane Regional School District | Somersworth School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | Somersworth High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.4 |
| 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.