Compare towns
Hampton vs Dover vs North Hampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.2).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
North Hampton has the highest household income ($146k).
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 | Hampton | Dover | North Hampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,101 |
33,364Highest |
4,543Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 51.2±1.7Highest 18% above NH |
36.9±1.9Lowest 15% below NH |
50.5±3.3 17% above NH |
| Hampton and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.9%±1.8 NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
| North Hampton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±3.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.8%±1.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9 NH: 20.1% |
| Hampton and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
52% NH: 40.6% |
54.5%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±1.7 NH: 6% |
6.2%±1.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
| Dover and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $97,163±$4k about the NH average |
$94,829±$7kLowest 4% below NH |
$146,458±$29kHighest 48% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $545,300±$63k 35% above NH |
$436,700±$20kLowest 8% above NH |
$670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,654±$93 11% above NH |
$1,607±$100Lowest 8% above NH |
$1,805±$106Highest 21% above NH |
| North Hampton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,872Lowest 3% above NH |
$8,249 24% above NH |
$8,529Highest 28% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.9%±13.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
48.6%±6.3 NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4% NH: 7.2% |
8.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.5% NH: 72.8% |
52.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
91.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1984Highest 5 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minHighest 3% below NH |
23 minLowest 15% below NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
| Work from home | 20.5%±3.8 NH: 16.8% |
18.6%±2.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
| North Hampton and Hampton 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 | #31 of 120 in NH | #64 of 120 in NH | #12 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Dover School District | North Hampton School District |
| High school in town | — | Dover Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.