Compare towns
Gilford vs Plainfield vs Strafford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Gilford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 38.9).
Strafford has the most affordable 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.
| Measure | Gilford | Plainfield | Strafford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,830Highest |
2,522Lowest |
4,306 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 48.2±3.9Highest 11% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
46.3±2.1 7% above NH |
| Gilford and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.6%±4.5 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.6%±3.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±3.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5 NH: 20.1% |
19.4%±4.1Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Gilford and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.4% NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
40.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.2Lowest NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
5.4%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
| Strafford and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $116,635±$11kLowest 18% above NH |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
$122,105±$22k 23% above NH |
| Plainfield and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $456,500±$56kHighest 13% above NH |
$442,400±$47k 10% above NH |
$427,900±$29kLowest 6% above NH |
| Gilford and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,150±$747Lowest 23% below NH |
$1,674±$181Highest 12% above NH |
$1,635±$246 10% above NH |
| Plainfield and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,868Lowest 27% below NH |
$7,904Highest 19% above NH |
$6,086 9% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 62.2%±8.5 NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
76.3%±30.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Strafford and Gilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% NH: 7.2% |
5.2%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.1% NH: 72.8% |
87.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
93.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 18% below NH |
22 min 18% below NH |
36 minHighest 34% above NH |
| Work from home | 16.9%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.9%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Plainfield and Gilford 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 | #45 of 120 in NH | #19 of 120 in NH | #73 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Gilford School District | Plainfield School District | Strafford School District |
| High school in town | Gilford High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.