Compare towns
Hooksett vs Newton vs Goffstown vs Plaistow
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%).
Newton has the most people working from home (18.1%).
Goffstown has the most affordable homes ($377k median).
Plaistow has the most kids (19.8% under 18).
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 | Newton | Goffstown | Plaistow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,057 |
4,836Lowest |
18,513Highest |
7,861 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4.7% NH: +4.6% |
+5.2% NH: +4.6% |
+2.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 41.3±1.5 5% below NH |
47.8±5.7Highest 10% above NH |
41.3±3.1 5% below NH |
40.1±3.7Lowest 7% below NH |
| Newton and Hooksett 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% |
17.1%±4.3 NH: 18.2% |
16%±2.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±4.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Plaistow and Hooksett 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% |
16%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
17.4%±3.7 NH: 20.1% |
| Goffstown and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.6% NH: 40.6% |
37.9% NH: 40.6% |
42.8%Highest NH: 40.6% |
34.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.9%±1.6 NH: 6% |
4.7%±2.5 NH: 6% |
14.5%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $117,962±$11k 19% above NH |
$138,487±$29kHighest 40% above NH |
$113,958±$12k 15% above NH |
$108,317±$13kLowest 9% above NH |
| Newton and Hooksett 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 |
$459,500±$18kHighest 14% above NH |
$377,400±$20kLowest 6% below NH |
$404,500±$32k about the NH average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,661±$206 11% above NH |
$1,683±$96Highest 13% above NH |
$1,231±$161Lowest 17% below NH |
$1,664±$187 12% above NH |
| Newton and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,554Lowest about the NH average |
$8,124Highest 22% above NH |
$6,941 4% above NH |
$7,194 8% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±16.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
62%±41.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
58.1%±20 NH: 48.2% |
55.3%±16.9 NH: 48.2% |
| Newton and Goffstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
7.5%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6.4% NH: 7.2% |
4.5% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.6% NH: 72.8% |
90.1%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.7% NH: 72.8% |
78.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the NH average |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
28 min 4% above NH |
29 min 7% above NH |
| Work from home | 13.4%±3.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±5.2Highest NH: 16.8% |
13.8%±2.2 NH: 16.8% |
13.6%±4 NH: 16.8% |
| Newton and Goffstown 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 | #70 of 120 in NH | #35 of 120 in NH | #66 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hooksett School District | Sanborn Regional School District | Goffstown School District | Timberlane Regional School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Goffstown High School | Timberlane Regional High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.6Highest |
11.4Lowest |
| 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.