Compare towns
Hampton vs Lyme vs Wolfeboro vs Conway
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.1%).
Lyme has the most kids (19.5% under 18).
Wolfeboro has the oldest population (median age 57).
Conway has the most affordable homes ($314k 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.
| Measure | Hampton | Lyme | Wolfeboro | Conway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,426Highest |
1,710Lowest |
6,571 |
10,141 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+1.7% NH: +4.6% |
+2.3% NH: +4.6% |
-2.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.8±2.1 29% above NH |
48.6±7.8Lowest 12% above NH |
57±1.8Highest 32% above NH |
55±4.1 27% above NH |
| Wolfeboro and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.5%±3.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
13.7%±3.3 NH: 18.2% |
12.4%±2.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Lyme and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.9%±2.8 NH: 20.1% |
26.5%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
34.6%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
35.1%±5.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Conway and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.8% NH: 40.6% |
70.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
45% NH: 40.6% |
37.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.1 NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.9 NH: 6% |
2.8%±1.8Lowest NH: 6% |
5%±3Highest NH: 6% |
| Conway and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $95,233±$9k 4% below NH |
$133,906±$15kHighest 35% above NH |
$94,375±$22k 5% below NH |
$64,385±$8kLowest 35% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $550,200±$39k 37% above NH |
$645,000±$64kHighest 60% above NH |
$546,500±$60k 36% above NH |
$314,000±$43kLowest 22% below NH |
| Lyme and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,628±$94Highest 9% above NH |
$1,418±$130 5% below NH |
$1,103±$76 26% below NH |
$1,095±$141Lowest 27% below NH |
| Hampton and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,813 about the NH average |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$4,531 32% below NH |
$4,087Lowest 39% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.8%±10.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
52.8%±29.8 NH: 48.2% |
12%±11.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
47.3%±13.9 NH: 48.2% |
| Hampton and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% NH: 7.2% |
4.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% NH: 72.8% |
80.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
78.1% NH: 72.8% |
71.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 1 yr older than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minHighest 3% below NH |
21 min 22% below NH |
24 min 11% below NH |
21 minLowest 23% below NH |
| Work from home | 21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
27.2%±5.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
22.9%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
13.4%±4.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Lyme and Wolfeboro 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 | — | #46 of 120 in NH | #76 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Lyme School District | Governor Wentworth Regional School District | Conway School District |
| High school in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town | Kingswood Regional High School | Kennett High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.1Lowest |
— | 11.1 |
11.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.