Compare towns

Hooksett vs Norton vs Plaistow

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Norton has the most people working from home (19%).
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.

MeasureHooksettNortonPlaistow
People
Population
15,057
19,240Highest
7,861Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.3±1.5Highest
6% above U.S.
39.6±1.2Lowest
about the U.S. average
40.1±3.7
3% above U.S.
Hooksett and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.4%±2.9
U.S.: 22%
17.3%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Plaistow and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.3%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.4%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.4%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
45.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.9%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
12.9%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$117,962±$11k
46% above U.S.
$124,535±$11kHighest
54% above U.S.
$108,317±$13kLowest
34% above U.S.
Norton 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
22% above U.S.
$501,400±$27kHighest
51% above U.S.
$404,500±$32kLowest
22% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,661±$206Lowest
18% above U.S.
$1,911±$375Highest
35% above U.S.
$1,664±$187
18% above U.S.
Norton and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,554
110% above U.S.
$5,929Lowest
90% above U.S.
$7,194Highest
131% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.7%±16.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
46.6%±8.9
U.S.: 51.1%
55.3%±16.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plaistow and Norton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
83.8%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1978Lowest
2 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
33 minHighest
23% above U.S.
29 min
8% above U.S.
Work from home
13.4%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.6%±4
U.S.: 15.1%
Norton and Plaistow 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 #173 of 282 in MA #66 of 120 in NH
School district Hooksett School District Norton Timberlane Regional School District
High school in town None in town Norton High Timberlane Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.9Lowest
11.4Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.