Compare towns
Hampstead vs Jackson vs Atkinson vs Hooksett
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Atkinson has the highest household income ($146k).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k 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 | Hampstead | Jackson | Atkinson | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102 |
897Lowest |
7,267 |
15,057Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% NH: +4.6% |
+26%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+10.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
60.5±2.5Highest 40% above NH |
57.1±2.8 32% above NH |
41.3±1.5Lowest 5% below NH |
| Jackson and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
4.1%±4.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8 NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Hooksett 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% |
28.4%±6.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Jackson and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% NH: 40.6% |
67.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
42.7% NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
3%±3.4Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4 NH: 6% |
8.9%±1.6Highest 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±$18kLowest 13% above NH |
$117,986±$46k 19% above NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
| Atkinson and Jackson 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 |
$719,300±$109kHighest 79% above NH |
$555,200±$65k 38% above NH |
$407,000±$26kLowest about the NH average |
| Jackson and Atkinson 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 |
$1,750±$1kHighest 17% above NH |
$1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$1,661±$206 11% above NH |
| Jackson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 30% above NH |
$6,001Lowest 10% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
$6,554 about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
21.1%±59.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
41.7%±16.4 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% |
16.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.3% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% NH: 72.8% |
91.4% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 13% above NH |
19 minLowest 31% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
22.2%±10.2Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Jackson and Atkinson 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 | — | #32 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Jackson School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Hooksett School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.