Compare towns
Hooksett vs Dunbarton vs Barnstead vs South Hooksett
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Dunbarton has the oldest population (median age 48).
Barnstead has the most affordable homes ($362k median).
South Hooksett has the youngest population (median age 35.2).
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 | Hooksett | Dunbarton | Barnstead | South Hooksett |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057Highest |
3,097Lowest |
4,994 |
5,902 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+9% NH: +4.6% |
+7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+8.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
48±3.7Highest 11% above NH |
42.8±3.1 about the NH average |
35.2±3.6Lowest 19% below NH |
| Dunbarton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±2.9 NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±3.8 NH: 18.2% |
21%±5Highest NH: 18.2% |
16.3%±3.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
20.4%±4.3 NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±4.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
13.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Barnstead and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.6%Highest NH: 40.6% |
39.6%Highest NH: 40.6% |
30.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
37.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6 NH: 6% |
3.8%±2Lowest NH: 6% |
5.9%±2.9 NH: 6% |
14.3%±0.8Highest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$124,348±$21k 26% above NH |
$111,660±$12kLowest 13% above NH |
$130,000±$15kHighest 31% above NH |
| South Hooksett and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $407,000±$26k about the NH average |
$484,100±$33kHighest 20% above NH |
$362,400±$25kLowest 10% below NH |
$433,200±$40k 8% above NH |
| Dunbarton and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206Highest 11% above NH |
$1,166±$70Lowest 22% below NH |
$1,395±$75 6% below NH |
$1,471±$217 about the NH average |
| Hooksett and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,554 about the NH average |
$8,233Highest 23% above NH |
$6,003Lowest 10% below NH |
$6,801 about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4 NH: 48.2% |
54.7%±60.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
47.6%±50.9 NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±25Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Dunbarton and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% NH: 7.2% |
3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.4% NH: 7.2% |
4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
95.1%Highest NH: 72.8% |
93.6% NH: 72.8% |
82.9% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1990Highest 11 yrs newer than NH |
1985Lowest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1985Lowest 6 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the NH average |
34 minHighest 25% above NH |
31 min 16% above NH |
26 minLowest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Highest NH: 16.8% |
12.6%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
13%±4.5 NH: 16.8% |
7.1%±2.4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Hooksett and Barnstead 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 | #30 of 120 in NH | #33 of 120 in NH | #111 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Dunbarton School District | Barnstead School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.