Compare towns

Groton vs Hooksett vs Topsfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.4%).
Topsfield has the most expensive homes ($853k 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.

MeasureGrotonHooksettTopsfield
People
Population
11,390Highest
5,876Lowest
6,564
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+27.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±2.7Lowest
6% above U.S.
42.6±2Highest
10% above U.S.
42.2±1.8
8% above U.S.
Hooksett and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
28.3%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.7%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
24.8%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.3%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±3.9
U.S.: 17.2%
22.4%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Topsfield and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
70.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
41.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
71.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
6.2%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Hooksett and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$192,958±$27k
139% above U.S.
$101,053±$25kLowest
25% above U.S.
$195,718±$16kHighest
142% above U.S.
Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$743,400±$46k
123% above U.S.
$348,100±$32kLowest
5% above U.S.
$853,400±$40kHighest
157% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,458±$335
3% above U.S.
$1,811±$283Highest
28% above U.S.
$1,115±$538Lowest
21% below U.S.
Hooksett and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$4,960Lowest
59% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.8%±17
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±20.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.9%±40.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Hooksett and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1987
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1969Lowest
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
22% above U.S.
29 min
11% above U.S.
28 minLowest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
27.5%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
14.4%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.4%±8.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Topsfield and Groton 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 #39 of 282 in MA #30 of 120 in NH #172 of 282 in MA
School district Groton-Dunstable — Topsfield
High school in town Groton Dunstable Regional — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
13.7
— —
On TownTapestry
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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.