Compare towns

Gorham vs Hampton Beach vs Meredith

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Gorham has the most affordable homes ($162k median).
Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Meredith has the most homeowners (75.8%).

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.

MeasureGorhamHampton BeachMeredith
People
Population
2,682
2,605Lowest
6,758Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.3%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+14.2%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+6.7%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
53.9±3.6Lowest
24% above NH
60.4±2.4Highest
39% above NH
55.5±3.7
28% above NH
Hampton Beach and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.5%±3.9
NH: 18.2%
3.1%±2.8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
12.6%±3.3Highest
NH: 18.2%
Meredith and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.7%±6.8Lowest
NH: 20.1%
33.7%±4.1
NH: 20.1%
34.2%±5Highest
NH: 20.1%
Meredith and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.7%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
34%
NH: 40.6%
45.9%Highest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±2.8Highest
NH: 6%
0.6%±0.7Lowest
NH: 6%
2.9%±1.2
NH: 6%
Gorham and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$61,275±$7kLowest
38% below NH
$82,557±$17k
17% below NH
$87,019±$19kHighest
12% below NH
Meredith and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$161,600±$49kLowest
60% below NH
$508,900±$76kHighest
26% above NH
$480,100±$48k
19% above NH
Hampton Beach and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$838±$83Lowest
44% below NH
$1,375±$130Highest
8% below NH
$1,149±$304
23% below NH
Hampton Beach and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,334Lowest
35% below NH
$6,115Highest
8% below NH
$5,006
25% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±20.3Lowest
NH: 48.2%
61.7%±20.2Highest
NH: 48.2%
48.5%±9.2
NH: 48.2%
Hampton Beach and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
8.2%Highest
NH: 7.2%
7.7%
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
NH: 72.8%
62.9%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
75.8%Highest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
1971Lowest
8 yrs older than NH
1975Highest
4 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
15% below NH
25 min
5% below NH
26 minHighest
about the NH average
Work from home
1.7%±1.8Lowest
NH: 16.8%
26.9%±6.1Highest
NH: 16.8%
23.7%±4.9
NH: 16.8%
Hampton Beach and Meredith 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 #57 of 120 in NH — #62 of 120 in NH
School district Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District — Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District
High school in town Gorham High School — Inter-Lakes High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.0Lowest
—
11.1Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.