Compare towns
Hampstead vs Hooksett vs Stoneham vs Derry
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 oldest population (median age 45.3).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Stoneham has the most expensive homes ($672k median).
Derry has the youngest population (median age 40.3).
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 | Stoneham | Derry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102Lowest |
15,057 |
23,355 |
34,116Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1Highest 16% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5 6% above U.S. |
42.2±2.2 8% above U.S. |
40.3±1.6Lowest 4% above U.S. |
| Hampstead and Stoneham 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%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.8%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
20.7%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampstead and Stoneham 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%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.4%±2.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
15.2%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampstead and Stoneham 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
55.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.4%Lowest 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% |
4.7%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Derry 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 39% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$113,964±$10k 41% above U.S. |
$108,944±$7kLowest 35% above U.S. |
| Hooksett and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $521,100±$45k 57% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
$671,900±$26kHighest 102% above U.S. |
$432,000±$17k 30% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$149Lowest 8% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206 18% above U.S. |
$2,035±$142Highest 44% above U.S. |
$1,547±$138 9% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 177% above U.S. |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
$6,523Lowest 109% above U.S. |
$8,103 160% 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% |
41.9%±8.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
51.6%±9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Derry 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% |
5.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
71% U.S.: 65.2% |
70.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1964Lowest 16 yrs older than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
24.6%±3.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16%±2.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Stoneham 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 | #117 of 282 in MA | #60 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Hooksett School District | Stoneham | Derry Cooperative School District · Pinkerton Academy School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Stoneham High | Pinkerton Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.7Lowest |
13.9Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.