Compare towns

Hampton Falls vs Stratham vs Dorchester

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 the most expensive homes ($773k median).
Stratham has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Dorchester has the most affordable homes ($140k 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 FallsStrathamDorchester
People
Population
2,328
7,754Highest
410Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.5%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+5.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
—
Median age
49.5±7.3
14% above NH
41.6±4.9Lowest
4% below NH
56±10.5Highest
29% above NH
Dorchester 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%±5.6
NH: 18.2%
23.5%±5.3Highest
NH: 18.2%
11.2%±4.4Lowest
NH: 18.2%
Stratham and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25%±3.6
NH: 20.1%
20.6%±3.6Lowest
NH: 20.1%
39.8%±15.5Highest
NH: 20.1%
Dorchester and Hampton Falls 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%
69.9%Highest
NH: 40.6%
35.8%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±2.1
NH: 6%
3.9%±1.7Highest
NH: 6%
0.5%±3.1Lowest
NH: 6%
Stratham and Hampton Falls 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
$151,998±$20kLowest
53% above NH
—
Hampton Falls and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$772,600±$76kHighest
92% above NH
$655,400±$36k
63% above NH
$139,600±$133kLowest
65% below NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,852±$475Lowest
24% above NH
$2,511±$377Highest
68% above NH
—
Stratham and Hampton Falls 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
$9,781
47% above NH
$3,779Lowest
43% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.2%±22.7
NH: 48.2%
64%±38.2Highest
NH: 48.2%
0%±100Lowest
NH: 48.2%
Stratham and Hampton Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4%
NH: 7.2%
2.4%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
18.6%Highest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
92.6%
NH: 72.8%
96.3%Highest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
2 yrs newer than NH
1986Highest
7 yrs newer than NH
1973Lowest
6 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
21% above NH
27 minLowest
about the NH average
40 minHighest
50% above NH
Work from home
21.8%±4.8
NH: 16.8%
25.3%±6.6Highest
NH: 16.8%
12.2%±8.8Lowest
NH: 16.8%
Stratham and Hampton Falls 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 — #43 of 120 in NH —
School district Hampton Falls School District Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District —
High school 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.