What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hanover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.4%).

Sanbornton has the oldest population (median age 41.9).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Hanover	Sanbornton
People
Population	11,685Highest	3,053Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+5.4%Highest NH: +4.6%	+2%Lowest NH: +4.6%
Median age	28.7±5.1Lowest 34% below NH	41.9±5.4Highest 3% below NH
Kids under 18	14.4%±2.4Lowest NH: 18.2%	18.1%±5.5Highest NH: 18.2%
	Sanbornton and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.7%±2.8Lowest NH: 20.1%	21.5%±4.4Highest NH: 20.1%
	Sanbornton and Hanover 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%	39.7%Lowest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	36.9%±2.4Highest NH: 6%	1.9%±1.4Lowest NH: 6%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$169,583±$36kHighest 71% above NH	$113,750±$41kLowest 15% above NH
	Hanover and Sanbornton 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	$452,300±$30kLowest 12% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$2,253±$217Highest 51% above NH	$1,289±$198Lowest 14% below NH
Property taxmedian, yearly	$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH	$5,731Lowest 14% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	66.4%±17.5Highest NH: 48.2%	29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2%
	Hanover and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	5.6%Highest NH: 7.2%	4.8%Lowest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	73.7%Lowest NH: 72.8%	85.9%Highest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH	1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	20 minLowest 27% below NH	31 minHighest 16% above NH
Work from home	26.4%±5Highest NH: 16.8%	15.8%±6.1Lowest NH: 16.8%
	Hanover and Sanbornton 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	#42 of 120 in NH
School district	Dresden School District · Hanover School District	Winnisquam Regional School District
High school in town	Hanover High School	None in town
Students per teacherat that high school	10.7	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.