Compare towns
Hampstead vs Williston vs Atkinson vs Hooksett
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 kids (21.3% under 18).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Atkinson has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
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 | Williston | Atkinson | Hooksett |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,102 |
10,144 |
7,267Lowest |
15,057Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±6.1 16% above U.S. |
45.4±4.5 17% above U.S. |
57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Hampstead and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
21%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.8%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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 39% above U.S. |
$106,967±$12kLowest 32% above U.S. |
$146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11k 46% above U.S. |
| 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 57% above U.S. |
$475,800±$40k 43% above U.S. |
$555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
| 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 8% below U.S. |
$1,832±$130Highest 30% above U.S. |
$1,140±$32Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206 18% above U.S. |
| Williston and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,634Highest 177% above U.S. |
$5,592Lowest 79% above U.S. |
$6,918 122% above U.S. |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±20.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
66.5%±39.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Atkinson and Williston 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% |
4.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980Lowest same as U.S. |
1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 14% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 21%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.3%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Williston 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 | #11 of 70 in VT | #32 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampstead School District | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | 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 |
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.