Compare towns

Hampton Beach vs Middlesex 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%).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
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 BeachMiddlesexAlstead
People
Population
2,605Highest
1,943
1,551Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
60.4±2.4Highest
55% above U.S.
44.4±3.9Lowest
14% 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%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
33.7%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
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%
54.7%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%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex 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
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$64,526±$11kLowest
20% below U.S.
Middlesex and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$508,900±$76kHighest
53% above U.S.
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$271,600±$37kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,375±$130Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,333±$359Lowest
6% below U.S.
—
Hampton Beach and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,115
96% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$5,322Lowest
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.7%±20.2
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
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%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
76%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
4% below U.S.
27 min
4% above U.S.
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
26.9%±6.1
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Hampton Beach are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Fall Mountain Regional School District
High school in town — None 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.