Compare towns
Hampstead vs Plainfield vs Atkinson vs Litchfield
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Plainfield has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Litchfield has the highest household income ($162k).
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 | Plainfield | Atkinson | Litchfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102Highest |
2,522Lowest |
7,267 |
8,499 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4% NH: +4.6% |
+5% NH: +4.6% |
+2.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
43.1±1.7 about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22.6%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Litchfield 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% |
19.8%±4.5 NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
14.9%±2.4Lowest 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% NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
42.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3 NH: 6% |
5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
4.4%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 |
$122,656±$13k 24% above NH |
$146,380±$32k 48% above NH |
$162,036±$11kHighest 64% above NH |
| Litchfield and Atkinson 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 |
$442,400±$47kLowest 10% above NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$485,000±$18k 20% 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 |
$1,674±$181 12% above NH |
$1,140±$32Lowest 24% below NH |
$2,138±$406Highest 43% above NH |
| Litchfield and Plainfield 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 |
$7,904 19% above NH |
$6,918Lowest 4% above NH |
$8,273 24% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1 NH: 48.2% |
81.5%±38.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Litchfield and Atkinson 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% |
5.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8% NH: 7.2% |
1%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
87.3% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.7% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1987 8 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 13% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
29 min 9% above NH |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
21%±5.1 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 | #19 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #53 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Plainfield School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Litchfield School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Campbell High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 11.4 |
| 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.