Compare towns
Derry vs White River Junction vs Salem 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 most kids (20.7% under 18).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
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 | White River Junction | Salem | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 34,116Highest |
3,364Lowest |
30,964 |
7,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.3±1.6 4% above U.S. |
33.7±3.2Lowest 13% below U.S. |
44.6±2.7 15% above U.S. |
57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±2.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.1%±5 U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Derry and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±1.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
38.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
38.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
42.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1 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. |
$77,168±$4kLowest 4% below U.S. |
$110,490±$9k 37% above U.S. |
$146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
| Atkinson and Salem 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. |
$278,800±$78kLowest 16% below U.S. |
$473,300±$16k 42% above U.S. |
$555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,547±$138 9% above U.S. |
$1,222±$216 14% below U.S. |
$1,625±$146Highest 15% above U.S. |
$1,140±$32Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Salem and Derry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,103Highest 160% above U.S. |
$5,651Lowest 81% above U.S. |
$6,992 124% above U.S. |
$6,918 122% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±9 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.9%±17.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±9.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
66.5%±39.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Atkinson and Derry 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% |
12.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5% U.S.: 12.5% |
1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
43.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
15 minLowest 42% below U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 16%±2.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.7%±5.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.3%±2.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Atkinson and Salem 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 | — | #38 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District | — | Salem School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | Pinkerton Academy | — | Salem High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.9Highest |
— | 11.2Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.