Compare towns
Franconia vs Hampton Falls vs Hanover vs Hancock
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franconia has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 28.7).
Hancock has the most affordable homes ($437k median).
Hanover is a college town. 36.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Franconia | Hampton Falls | Hanover | Hancock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,060Lowest |
2,328 |
11,685Highest |
1,791 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+7.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.4% NH: +4.6% |
+4.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
49.5±7.3 14% above NH |
28.7±5.1Lowest 34% below NH |
53.8±4.5 24% above NH |
| Franconia and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±5.5 NH: 18.2% |
19.1%±5.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.4%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
15.4%±2.2 NH: 18.2% |
| Hampton Falls and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 36.6%±6.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
25%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
19.7%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.2%±2.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.9% NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
88.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
53.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±5.4 NH: 6% |
3.8%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
36.9%±2.4Highest NH: 6% |
4%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,292±$28kLowest 12% below NH |
$166,157±$14k 68% above NH |
$169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH |
$95,208±$15k 4% below NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$772,600±$76k 92% above NH |
$824,900±$61kHighest 105% above NH |
$436,700±$22kLowest 8% above NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,281±$278 14% below NH |
$1,852±$475 24% above NH |
$2,253±$217Highest 51% above NH |
$1,208±$650Lowest 19% below NH |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,451 12% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$6,884Lowest 3% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
27.2%±22.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.4%±17.5 NH: 48.2% |
32.4%±55.6 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
5.6% NH: 7.2% |
4.1% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
73.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
85.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1969Lowest 10 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 25% below NH |
32 min 21% above NH |
20 minLowest 27% below NH |
33 minHighest 24% above NH |
| Work from home | 11.9%±5.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.8%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
26.4%±5Highest NH: 16.8% |
14.9%±3.2 NH: 16.8% |
| Hanover and Hampton Falls 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 | — | — | #1 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Lafayette Regional School District | Hampton Falls School District | Dresden School District · Hanover School District | Contoocook Valley School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Hanover High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.