Compare towns
Grafton vs Hooksett vs Rockingham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Grafton has the oldest population (median age 59.2).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Rockingham has the most affordable homes ($211k 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 | Grafton | Hooksett | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 666Lowest |
15,057Highest |
4,807 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-8.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 59.2±4.4Highest 52% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
46.4±2.6 19% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 5.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
19.2%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Rockingham and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 34.2%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Grafton and Rockingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
37.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.1%±5 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Grafton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $76,111±$7k 6% below U.S. |
$117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$70,857±$16kLowest 12% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $343,200±$85k 3% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kHighest 22% above U.S. |
$210,900±$14kLowest 37% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Grafton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,288±$174 9% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,062±$101Lowest 25% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Grafton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,843Lowest 55% above U.S. |
$6,554Highest 110% above U.S. |
$4,887 57% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.8%±69.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46.7%±13.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Grafton and Rockingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
61.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 8% below U.S. |
27 minHighest about the U.S. average |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.8%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.9%±7.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Rockingham and Grafton 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 | — | #30 of 120 in NH | #65 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Athens Grafton School District | Hooksett School District | Rockingham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.