Compare towns
Hampstead vs Hooksett vs Bennington vs Atkinson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Bennington has the most affordable homes ($267k median).
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
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 | Hampstead | Hooksett | Bennington | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102 |
15,057Highest |
1,588Lowest |
7,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
42.1±7.8 about the NH average |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
26%±5.2Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Bennington and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
15.2%±1.7Lowest NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.6% NH: 40.6% |
33.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.7% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
2.8%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
| Hooksett and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$83,875±$7kLowest 15% below NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
| Atkinson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
$407,000±$26k about the NH average |
$267,300±$15kLowest 34% below NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149 13% below NH |
$1,661±$206Highest 11% above NH |
$1,292±$150 13% below NH |
$1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$6,554 about the NH average |
$5,944Lowest 11% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
37.2%±20.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.8% NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% NH: 72.8% |
80.6% NH: 72.8% |
74.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 13% above NH |
27 minLowest about the NH average |
37 minHighest 38% above NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
14.7%±4.8 NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 | #49 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | — | #32 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Hooksett School District | Contoocook Valley School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.