Compare towns
Franconia vs Norwich vs Hancock
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franconia has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Norwich has the most kids (24% under 18).
Hancock has the most affordable homes ($437k 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.
| Measure | Franconia | Norwich | Hancock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,060Lowest |
3,640Highest |
1,791 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.6±7Highest 43% above U.S. |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% above U.S. |
53.8±4.5 38% above U.S. |
| 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%±5.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.4%±2.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 36.6%±6.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.2%±2.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
81%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
53.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±5.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Franconia and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $87,292±$28kLowest 8% above U.S. |
$140,313±$12kHighest 74% above U.S. |
$95,208±$15k 18% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $530,300±$96k 59% above U.S. |
$637,500±$76kHighest 92% above U.S. |
$436,700±$22kLowest 31% above U.S. |
| Norwich and Franconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,281±$278 9% below U.S. |
$1,460±$322Highest 3% above U.S. |
$1,208±$650Lowest 15% below U.S. |
| Norwich and Franconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,451 139% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,884Lowest 121% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±74.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.7%±19.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
32.4%±55.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Franconia and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 24% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.9%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±3.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Norwich and Hancock 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 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Lafayette Regional School District | Norwich School District | Contoocook Valley 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 |
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.