Compare towns
Derry vs Lancaster vs Atkinson
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 youngest population (median age 40.3).
Lancaster has the most affordable homes ($216k median).
Atkinson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
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 | Lancaster | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 34,116Highest |
3,216Lowest |
7,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% NH: +4.6% |
-8.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 40.3±1.6Lowest 7% below NH |
45.5±6.9 5% above NH |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Lancaster 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 NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
| Lancaster and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.4% NH: 40.6% |
30.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.5Highest NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
| 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 10% above NH |
$68,911±$23kLowest 30% below NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
| Atkinson and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,000±$17k 7% above NH |
$215,700±$24kLowest 46% below NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,547±$138Highest 4% above NH |
$1,019±$263Lowest 32% below NH |
$1,140±$32 24% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,103Highest 22% above NH |
$4,226Lowest 37% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±9 NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4% NH: 7.2% |
16.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
75.1% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 16% above NH |
23 minLowest 14% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
| Work from home | 16%±2.8 NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson 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 | #107 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | White Mountains Regional School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | Pinkerton Academy | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.9 |
— | — |
| 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.