Compare towns
Dunbarton vs Benson vs Strafford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dunbarton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Strafford has the youngest population (median age 46.3).
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 | Dunbarton | Benson | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,097 |
784Lowest |
4,306Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48±3.7 23% above U.S. |
51.9±9.4Highest 33% above U.S. |
46.3±2.1Lowest 19% above U.S. |
| Benson and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.8%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.6%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Dunbarton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±4.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±4.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.4%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Benson and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
32.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $124,348±$21kHighest 54% above U.S. |
$78,625±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$122,105±$22k 51% above U.S. |
| Dunbarton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $484,100±$33kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$427,900±$29k 29% above U.S. |
| Dunbarton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,166±$70 17% below U.S. |
$1,113±$170Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,635±$246Highest 16% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,233Highest 164% above U.S. |
$4,125Lowest 32% above U.S. |
$6,086 95% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.7%±60.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
53.4%±35.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
76.3%±30.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Strafford and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1990Highest 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 27% above U.S. |
32 minLowest 20% above U.S. |
36 minHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.6%±5.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Strafford 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 | #33 of 120 in NH | — | #73 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Dunbarton School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Strafford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.