Compare towns

Dorset vs North Hampton vs Rye

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dorset has the most kids (24% under 18).
North Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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.

MeasureDorsetNorth HamptonRye
People
Population
2,092Lowest
4,543
5,611Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.9±7.5Lowest
18% above U.S.
50.5±3.3
30% above U.S.
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
Rye and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24%±5.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.2%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Dorset and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.9%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
26%±4.9
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rye and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
72.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±1.5
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Dorset and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$111,250±$40kLowest
38% above U.S.
$146,458±$29kHighest
81% above U.S.
$140,655±$39k
74% above U.S.
North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$569,200±$57kLowest
71% above U.S.
$670,400±$61k
102% above U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,420±$296Lowest
about the U.S. average
$1,805±$106Highest
28% above U.S.
$1,781±$156
26% above U.S.
North Hampton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,489Lowest
140% above U.S.
$8,529Highest
173% above U.S.
$7,519
141% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
23.5%±21Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Dorset and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
18% below U.S.
25 min
7% below U.S.
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
Work from home
29.3%±7.5
U.S.: 15.1%
25.9%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and Dorset 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 — #12 of 120 in NH #2 of 120 in NH
School district Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 North Hampton School District Rye School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.