Compare towns
Jefferson vs Lancaster vs Newfields
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jefferson has the oldest population (median age 58).
Lancaster has the most affordable homes ($216k median).
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
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 | Jefferson | Lancaster | Newfields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,013Lowest |
3,216Highest |
2,023 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8% NH: +4.6% |
-8.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 58±3.5Highest 34% above NH |
45.5±6.9 5% above NH |
44.1±1.8Lowest about the NH average |
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.9%±1.6 NH: 18.2% |
| Lancaster and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.7%±9.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8 NH: 20.1% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Jefferson and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
30.1% NH: 40.6% |
68.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2 NH: 6% |
7.5%±7.2Highest NH: 6% |
| Newfields and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $67,188±$13kLowest 32% below NH |
$68,911±$23k 30% below NH |
$197,885±$15kHighest 100% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $296,700±$92k 26% below NH |
$215,700±$24kLowest 46% below NH |
$646,400±$34kHighest 61% above NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
$1,019±$263 32% below NH |
$1,875±$323Highest 26% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196Lowest 37% below NH |
$4,226 37% below NH |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17 NH: 48.2% |
43.3%±40.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Newfields and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% NH: 7.2% |
16.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5% NH: 72.8% |
75.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 9 yrs newer than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 29% above NH |
23 minLowest 14% below NH |
26 min 4% below NH |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.5%±3.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Newfields and Jefferson 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 | — | #107 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | — | White Mountains Regional School District | Newfields School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.