Compare towns

Gorham vs Hooksett vs Berlin

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 oldest population (median age 53.9).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($131k 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.

MeasureGorhamHooksettBerlin
People
Population
2,682Lowest
15,057Highest
9,383
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.3%
NH: +4.6%
+10.6%Highest
NH: +4.6%
-6.2%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
53.9±3.6Highest
24% above NH
41.3±1.5Lowest
5% below NH
44.6±2.8
3% above NH
Kids under 18
12.5%±3.9Lowest
NH: 18.2%
17.4%±2.9Highest
NH: 18.2%
17.2%±2.8
NH: 18.2%
Hooksett and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
31.7%±6.8Highest
NH: 20.1%
17.3%±2.4Lowest
NH: 20.1%
20.1%±2.7
NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.7%
NH: 40.6%
39.6%Highest
NH: 40.6%
14.1%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±2.8
NH: 6%
8.9%±1.6Highest
NH: 6%
2.7%±1.1Lowest
NH: 6%
Hooksett and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$61,275±$7k
38% below NH
$117,962±$11kHighest
19% above NH
$45,180±$5kLowest
54% below NH
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$161,600±$49k
60% below NH
$407,000±$26kHighest
about the NH average
$131,000±$15kLowest
67% below NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$838±$83
44% below NH
$1,661±$206Highest
11% above NH
$815±$141Lowest
45% below NH
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,334
35% below NH
$6,554Highest
about the NH average
$3,437Lowest
48% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±20.3Lowest
NH: 48.2%
41.7%±16.4
NH: 48.2%
43.7%±12Highest
NH: 48.2%
Berlin and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%
NH: 7.2%
3.3%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
15.3%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
NH: 72.8%
80.6%Highest
NH: 72.8%
62.6%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
8 yrs older than NH
1988Highest
9 yrs newer than NH
1938Lowest
41 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
15% below NH
27 minHighest
about the NH average
19 minLowest
30% below NH
Work from home
1.7%±1.8Lowest
NH: 16.8%
13.4%±3.1Highest
NH: 16.8%
3.5%±2.1
NH: 16.8%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #57 of 120 in NH #30 of 120 in NH #108 of 120 in NH
School district Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District Hooksett School District Berlin School District
High school in town Gorham High School None in town Berlin Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.0Highest
—
8.2Lowest
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.