Compare towns

Exeter vs Mansfield 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

Exeter has the most homeowners (97.7%).
Mansfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.3%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k 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.

MeasureExeterMansfieldStrafford
People
Population
913
691Lowest
1,372Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-14.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.7±12.6
33% above U.S.
54±5.5Highest
39% above U.S.
51.4±4.7Lowest
32% above U.S.
Mansfield and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.7%±7.1
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
Strafford and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±10.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.1%±3.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Exeter and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
22.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Strafford and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,550±$19kLowest
4% below U.S.
$83,304±$14k
3% above U.S.
$110,833±$19kHighest
37% above U.S.
Strafford and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$243,000±$89k
27% below U.S.
$200,000±$29kLowest
40% below U.S.
$431,300±$40kHighest
30% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$44Lowest
39% below U.S.
—
$1,125±$789Highest
20% below U.S.
Strafford and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,926Lowest
6% below U.S.
$4,122
32% above U.S.
$7,149Highest
129% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.6%±48Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Strafford and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
88.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1980
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
26 min
3% below U.S.
23 minLowest
13% below U.S.
Work from home
14.4%±10.4
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±12.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.1%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Strafford and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — — Strafford School District
High school 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.