Compare towns

Jackson vs New Castle vs Stratham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
New Castle has the most expensive homes ($1701k median).
Stratham has the most kids (23.5% 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.

MeasureJacksonNew CastleStratham
People
Population
897
827Lowest
7,754Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+26%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+3.3%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+5.7%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
60.5±2.5
40% above NH
62.8±6Highest
45% above NH
41.6±4.9Lowest
4% below NH
New Castle and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
4.1%±4.1Lowest
NH: 18.2%
12.9%±7.1
NH: 18.2%
23.5%±5.3Highest
NH: 18.2%
Stratham and New Castle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.4%±6.4
NH: 20.1%
44.3%±16.1Highest
NH: 20.1%
20.6%±3.6Lowest
NH: 20.1%
New Castle and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
67.7%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
68.8%
NH: 40.6%
69.9%Highest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±3.4
NH: 6%
0.6%±1.8Lowest
NH: 6%
3.9%±1.7Highest
NH: 6%
Stratham and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$117,986±$46kLowest
19% above NH
$176,953±$29kHighest
79% above NH
$151,998±$20k
53% above NH
New Castle and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$719,300±$109k
79% above NH
$1,701,300±$267kHighest
323% above NH
$655,400±$36kLowest
63% above NH
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,750±$1kLowest
17% above NH
$3,501Highest
135% above NH
$2,511±$377
68% above NH
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,001Lowest
10% below NH
$8,509
28% above NH
$9,781Highest
47% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
21.1%±59.9
NH: 48.2%
0%±85.7Lowest
NH: 48.2%
64%±38.2Highest
NH: 48.2%
Stratham and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.9%Highest
NH: 7.2%
4.6%
NH: 7.2%
2.4%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.4%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
93%Highest
NH: 72.8%
92.6%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
1 yr newer than NH
1975Lowest
4 yrs older than NH
1986Highest
7 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
31% below NH
33 minHighest
22% above NH
27 min
about the NH average
Work from home
22.2%±10.2Lowest
NH: 16.8%
40.1%±19.4Highest
NH: 16.8%
25.3%±6.6
NH: 16.8%
New Castle and Stratham 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 — — #43 of 120 in NH
School district Jackson School District New Castle School District Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.