Compare towns
Derry vs Hampstead vs Ware vs Atkinson
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 youngest population (median age 40.3).
Hampstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k median).
Atkinson has the highest household income ($146k).
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 | Hampstead | Ware | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 34,116Highest |
9,102 |
10,048 |
7,267Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.3±1.6Lowest 4% above U.S. |
45.3±6.1 16% above U.S. |
43.1±4.7 11% above U.S. |
57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.1%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Hampstead and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
44.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.8%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Derry and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,944±$7k 35% above U.S. |
$112,348±$18k 39% above U.S. |
$67,475±$15kLowest 16% below U.S. |
$146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,000±$17k 30% above U.S. |
$521,100±$45k 57% above U.S. |
$289,700±$28kLowest 13% below U.S. |
$555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,547±$138Highest 9% above U.S. |
$1,299±$149 8% below U.S. |
$1,043±$109Lowest 26% below U.S. |
$1,140±$32 19% below U.S. |
| Derry and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,103 160% above U.S. |
$8,634Highest 177% above U.S. |
$4,237Lowest 36% above U.S. |
$6,918 122% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±9 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±20.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
64.3%±16.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
66.5%±39.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Atkinson and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1960Lowest 20 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
30 min 14% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 16%±2.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.3%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 | #49 of 120 in NH | #267 of 282 in MA | #32 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | Hampstead School District | Ware | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | Pinkerton Academy | None in town | Ware Junior/Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.9Highest |
— | 11.1Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.