Compare towns

Hampstead vs Hooksett vs Plainfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampstead has the most people working from home (21%).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($318k 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.

MeasureHampsteadHooksettPlainfield
People
Population
9,102
15,057Highest
1,314Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±6.1
16% above U.S.
41.3±1.5Lowest
6% above U.S.
48.1±5.5Highest
24% above U.S.
Plainfield and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.4%±2.9
U.S.: 22%
16.3%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Hampstead and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.8%±4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.3%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.1%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampstead and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
39.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
8.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,348±$18k
39% above U.S.
$117,962±$11kHighest
46% above U.S.
$69,250±$31kLowest
14% below U.S.
Hooksett and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$521,100±$45kHighest
57% above U.S.
$407,000±$26k
22% above U.S.
$318,400±$34kLowest
4% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,299±$149
8% below U.S.
$1,661±$206Highest
18% above U.S.
$1,153±$103Lowest
18% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,634Highest
177% above U.S.
$6,554
110% above U.S.
$4,806Lowest
54% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
41.7%±16.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
73.2%±53.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
Work from home
21%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.4%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampstead and Plainfield 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 —
School district Hampstead School District Hooksett School District —
High school 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.