Compare towns
Dresden vs Wolfeboro vs Alna
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dresden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Wolfeboro has the most expensive homes ($547k median).
Alna has the most kids (32.9% under 18).
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 | Dresden | Wolfeboro | Alna |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,645 |
6,571Highest |
818Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.1±7.9 42% above U.S. |
57±1.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
40.7±10.5Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Wolfeboro and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
13.7%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
32.9%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±8 U.S.: 17.2% |
34.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.4%±5.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Wolfeboro and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
41.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dresden and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,844±$22kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$94,375±$22kHighest 17% above U.S. |
$93,125±$16k 15% above U.S. |
| Wolfeboro and Alna are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $240,100±$29kLowest 28% below U.S. |
$546,500±$60kHighest 64% above U.S. |
$367,400±$55k 10% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,194±$502Highest 15% below U.S. |
$1,103±$76 22% below U.S. |
$1,088±$176Lowest 23% below U.S. |
| Dresden and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,500Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$4,531Highest 45% above U.S. |
$3,667 18% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 13.2%±26 U.S.: 51.1% |
12%±11.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.9%±70.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Alna and Dresden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
78.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1978Lowest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 25% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 10% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 6.7%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±6.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Wolfeboro and Alna 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 | — | #46 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | RSU 02 | Governor Wentworth Regional School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Kingswood Regional High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.