Compare towns

Dunbarton vs Hampton Falls vs Strafford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dunbarton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
Hampton Falls has the most expensive homes ($773k median).
Strafford has the most affordable homes ($428k 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.

MeasureDunbartonHampton FallsStrafford
People
Population
3,097
2,328Lowest
4,306Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+7.5%
NH: +4.6%
+6%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
48±3.7
11% above NH
49.5±7.3Highest
14% above NH
46.3±2.1Lowest
7% above NH
Hampton Falls 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
NH: 18.2%
19.1%±5.6
NH: 18.2%
17.6%±3.5Lowest
NH: 18.2%
Dunbarton and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.4%±4.3
NH: 20.1%
25%±3.6Highest
NH: 20.1%
19.4%±4.1Lowest
NH: 20.1%
Hampton Falls 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%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
54.5%Highest
NH: 40.6%
40.2%
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±2Lowest
NH: 6%
3.8%±2.1Lowest
NH: 6%
5.4%±2.6Highest
NH: 6%
Strafford and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$124,348±$21k
26% above NH
$166,157±$14kHighest
68% above NH
$122,105±$22kLowest
23% above NH
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$484,100±$33k
20% above NH
$772,600±$76kHighest
92% above NH
$427,900±$29kLowest
6% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,166±$70Lowest
22% below NH
$1,852±$475Highest
24% above NH
$1,635±$246
10% above NH
Hampton Falls and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,233
23% above NH
$10,000+Highest
at least 50% above NH
$6,086Lowest
9% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.7%±60.7
NH: 48.2%
27.2%±22.7Lowest
NH: 48.2%
76.3%±30.3Highest
NH: 48.2%
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
NH: 7.2%
4%
NH: 7.2%
8%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.1%Highest
NH: 72.8%
86.3%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
93.5%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1990Highest
11 yrs newer than NH
1981Lowest
2 yrs newer than NH
1985
6 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
25% above NH
32 minLowest
21% above NH
36 minHighest
34% above NH
Work from home
12.6%±5.4Lowest
NH: 16.8%
21.8%±4.8Highest
NH: 16.8%
15.9%±5
NH: 16.8%
Hampton Falls 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 Hampton Falls School District Strafford 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

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.