Compare towns

Hampton Beach vs Danvers vs Alstead

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton Beach has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Danvers has the highest household income ($125k).
Alstead has the most affordable homes ($272k 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.

MeasureHampton BeachDanversAlstead
People
Population
2,605
28,098Highest
1,551Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
60.4±2.4Highest
55% above U.S.
45.3±3Lowest
16% above U.S.
56±3.3
44% above U.S.
Hampton Beach and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
3.1%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.2%±2Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
Danvers and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.6%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.8%±4.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton Beach and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34%
U.S.: 35.7%
48.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.6%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4%±1.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Danvers and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$82,557±$17k
about the U.S. average
$125,395±$10kHighest
55% above U.S.
$64,526±$11kLowest
20% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$508,900±$76k
53% above U.S.
$644,200±$23kHighest
94% above U.S.
$271,600±$37kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,375±$130Lowest
about the U.S. average
$2,076±$192Highest
47% above U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,115
96% above U.S.
$6,654Highest
113% above U.S.
$5,322Lowest
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.7%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
48.8%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
72.1%±22.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Alstead and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
69.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
76%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
9 yrs older than U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
1973Highest
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
4% below U.S.
28 min
8% above U.S.
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
26.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19.3%±3.6
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Hampton Beach and Danvers 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 — #91 of 282 in MA —
School district — — Fall Mountain Regional School District
High school 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.