What stands out worked out from the figures below

Holderness has the most expensive homes ($363k median).

Putnam has the oldest population (median age 53.6).

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	Holderness	Putnam
People
Population	1,917Highest	540Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-4.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-6.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	39.4±7.4Lowest about the U.S. average	53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S.
Kids under 18	14.7%±9.3Lowest U.S.: 22%	17.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22%
	Putnam and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	31.4%±4.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Putnam and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	55.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.6%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	2.8%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Putnam and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$107,863±$45kHighest 34% above U.S.	$92,344±$14kLowest 14% above U.S.
	Holderness and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$363,100±$60kHighest 9% above U.S.	$266,200±$48kLowest 20% below U.S.
	Holderness and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$2,068±$385 46% above U.S.	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,923Highest 26% above U.S.	$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	23.5%±21.2Highest U.S.: 51.1%	0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Holderness and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	12.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	7.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	83.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S.	1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	27 minHighest about the U.S. average	21 minLowest 19% below U.S.
Work from home	9.4%±4.1Highest U.S.: 15.1%	8.6%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Holderness and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Holderness School District	PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.