Compare towns

Epsom vs Bellows Falls 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

Epsom has the oldest population (median age 47.1).
Bellows Falls has the most affordable homes ($196k median).
Strafford has the most expensive 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.

MeasureEpsomBellows FallsStrafford
People
Population
4,939Highest
2,891Lowest
4,306
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
-12.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47.1±3.4Highest
21% above U.S.
41.3±6.7Lowest
6% above U.S.
46.3±2.1
19% above U.S.
Epsom and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.2%±4.9
U.S.: 22%
22.6%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.6%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Bellows Falls and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.7%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
23.7%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.4%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bellows Falls and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
27.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
40.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
8.2%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Bellows Falls and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,941±$13k
21% above U.S.
$56,086±$2kLowest
31% below U.S.
$122,105±$22kHighest
51% above U.S.
Strafford and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$338,400±$19k
about the U.S. average
$195,600±$35kLowest
41% below U.S.
$427,900±$29kHighest
29% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,212±$437
14% below U.S.
$1,038±$109Lowest
27% below U.S.
$1,635±$246Highest
16% above U.S.
Strafford and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,210Highest
99% above U.S.
$4,448Lowest
43% above U.S.
$6,086
95% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
71.2%±19.7
U.S.: 51.1%
43.9%±16.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
76.3%±30.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Strafford and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
25.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
50.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
93.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1985
5 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
17% above U.S.
20 minLowest
24% below U.S.
36 minHighest
36% above U.S.
Work from home
13.1%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
6.9%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.9%±5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Strafford and Epsom 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 #69 of 120 in NH — #73 of 120 in NH
School district Epsom School District — Strafford School District
High school 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.