Compare towns
Franconia vs Orford vs Newfields vs Lincoln
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).
Orford has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Lincoln has the most renters (28% rent).
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 | Orford | Newfields | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,060Lowest |
1,295 |
2,023Highest |
1,461 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
0% NH: +4.6% |
+5.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
48.9±3.3 13% above NH |
44.1±1.8Lowest about the NH average |
46.8±10.1 8% above NH |
| Franconia and Orford 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% |
12.3%±3.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
18.9%±1.6 NH: 18.2% |
19.4%±5.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Lincoln and Newfields 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% |
25.5%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
28.3%±7 NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and Lincoln 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% |
44% NH: 40.6% |
68.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
38.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±5.4 NH: 6% |
5%±2.1 NH: 6% |
7.5%±7.2Highest NH: 6% |
1.6%±1.7Lowest NH: 6% |
| Newfields and Franconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,292±$28k 12% below NH |
$92,571±$24k 7% below NH |
$197,885±$15kHighest 100% above NH |
$70,625±$54kLowest 29% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$271,900±$25kLowest 32% below NH |
$646,400±$34kHighest 61% above NH |
$342,000±$38k 15% below NH |
| Newfields 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 14% below NH |
$1,263±$686 15% below NH |
$1,875±$323Highest 26% above NH |
$1,143±$498Lowest 23% below NH |
| Newfields and Franconia 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 |
$5,836 12% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$2,984Lowest 55% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
37.8%±10.7Lowest NH: 48.2% |
43.3%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
49.7%±26 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Lincoln 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% |
5.8% NH: 7.2% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.2% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% NH: 72.8% |
75.5% NH: 72.8% |
95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
72%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1971Lowest 8 yrs older than NH |
1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below NH |
26 min 4% below NH |
26 minHighest 4% below NH |
23 min 15% below NH |
| Work from home | 11.9%±5.1 NH: 16.8% |
10.8%±4.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.5%±3.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.3%±8.1 NH: 16.8% |
| Newfields and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Lafayette Regional School District | Rivendell Interstate School District | Newfields School District | Lincoln-Woodstock Cooperative School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Rivendell Academy | None in town | Lin-Wood Public School (High) |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.5Highest |
— | 7.4Lowest |
| 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.