Compare towns

Hampton vs Plainfield vs Middlesex

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 has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Plainfield has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).

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.

MeasureHamptonPlainfieldMiddlesex
People
Population
1,145Lowest
1,314
1,943Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.1±14.7Lowest
11% above U.S.
48.1±5.5Highest
24% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
Plainfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.9%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16.3%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.1%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Plainfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
15.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±3.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,796±$8k
9% below U.S.
$69,250±$31kLowest
14% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
$318,400±$34k
4% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
Middlesex and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,264±$375
11% below U.S.
$1,153±$103Lowest
18% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
Middlesex and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$4,806
54% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
13.2%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
73.2%±53.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±8.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Plainfield 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
High school 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.