Compare towns

Hampton Falls vs Nelson vs Francestown

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton Falls has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Francestown has the most homeowners (95.3%).

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 FallsNelsonFrancestown
People
Population
2,328Highest
648Lowest
1,398
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.5%Highest
NH: +4.6%
-13.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+3.1%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
49.5±7.3
14% above NH
42.3±11.7Lowest
about the NH average
51.2±4.5Highest
18% above NH
Francestown and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.1%±5.6Lowest
NH: 18.2%
27.5%±6.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
19.8%±4.4
NH: 18.2%
Nelson and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25%±3.6Highest
NH: 20.1%
24.8%±2
NH: 20.1%
21.7%±2.6Lowest
NH: 20.1%
Hampton Falls and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.5%
NH: 40.6%
61.1%Highest
NH: 40.6%
52.9%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±2.1Highest
NH: 6%
0.9%±2.1Lowest
NH: 6%
2.6%±1.1
NH: 6%
Hampton Falls and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$166,157±$14kHighest
68% above NH
$99,792±$23kLowest
about the NH average
$104,063±$16k
5% above NH
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$772,600±$76kHighest
92% above NH
$340,900±$49kLowest
15% below NH
$408,200±$34k
about the NH average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,852±$475Highest
24% above NH
$1,203±$243Lowest
19% below NH
$1,358±$256
9% below NH
Hampton Falls and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 50% above NH
$5,575Lowest
16% below NH
$8,014
20% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.2%±22.7Lowest
NH: 48.2%
40%±68.8
NH: 48.2%
66.7%±77Highest
NH: 48.2%
Francestown and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4%
NH: 7.2%
1.4%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
8.2%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
90.2%
NH: 72.8%
95.3%Highest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
2 yrs newer than NH
1975Lowest
4 yrs older than NH
1981Highest
2 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
21% above NH
24 minLowest
9% below NH
42 minHighest
57% above NH
Work from home
21.8%±4.8Lowest
NH: 16.8%
31.5%±8Highest
NH: 16.8%
27.4%±7.7
NH: 16.8%
Nelson and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Hampton Falls School District Nelson School District Contoocook Valley School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.