Compare towns
Hanover vs Henniker vs Hillsborough vs Nottingham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hanover has the most expensive homes ($825k median).
Henniker has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.9%).
Hillsborough has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Nottingham has the most kids (23.9% under 18).
Hanover is a college town. 36.9% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Hanover | Henniker | Hillsborough | Nottingham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,685Highest |
6,197 |
5,980 |
5,357Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.4% NH: +4.6% |
+27.9%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+9.3% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 28.7±5.1Lowest 34% below NH |
31.1±6.1 28% below NH |
40.9±4.6Highest 6% below NH |
38.8±6.7 10% below NH |
| Hillsborough and Nottingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.4%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
15.3%±3.7 NH: 18.2% |
17.4%±4.6 NH: 18.2% |
23.9%±5.4Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Nottingham and Hillsborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±6 NH: 20.1% |
16.4%±3.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
18.4%±4.2 NH: 20.1% |
| Hanover and Nottingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 88.2%Highest NH: 40.6% |
41.4% NH: 40.6% |
23.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
40.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 36.9%±2.4Highest NH: 6% |
27%±6.5 NH: 6% |
2.6%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
5.9%±2.6 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH |
$95,206±$21k 4% below NH |
$84,495±$12kLowest 15% below NH |
$122,201±$20k 23% above NH |
| Hanover and Nottingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $824,900±$61kHighest 105% above NH |
$356,700±$49k 11% below NH |
$272,300±$16kLowest 32% below NH |
$457,500±$26k 14% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,253±$217Highest 51% above NH |
$1,081±$164Lowest 27% below NH |
$1,198±$390 20% below NH |
$2,068±$1k 39% above NH |
| Hanover and Nottingham 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 |
$8,877 33% above NH |
$5,815Lowest 13% below NH |
$7,319 10% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.4%±17.5 NH: 48.2% |
43.5%±22.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
61.7%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
92.1%±44.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Nottingham and Hanover 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% |
11.6%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6% NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.7% NH: 72.8% |
64.5%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.3% NH: 72.8% |
94.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1974Lowest 5 yrs older than NH |
1974Lowest 5 yrs older than NH |
1992Highest 13 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 27% below NH |
20 min 24% below NH |
41 minHighest 54% above NH |
34 min 27% above NH |
| Work from home | 26.4%±5Highest NH: 16.8% |
15.5%±5.6 NH: 16.8% |
14%±5.2Lowest NH: 16.8% |
22.2%±5.8 NH: 16.8% |
| Hanover and Nottingham 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 | #1 of 120 in NH | #56 of 120 in NH | #97 of 120 in NH | #15 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Dresden School District · Hanover School District | Henniker School District | Hillsboro-Deering Cooperative School District | Nottingham School District |
| High school in town | Hanover High School | None in town | Hillsboro-Deering High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Highest |
— | 9.5Lowest |
— |
| 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.