Compare towns

Jefferson vs Leyden vs Lancaster

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Jefferson has the most people working from home (17.5%).
Leyden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% 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.

MeasureJeffersonLeydenLancaster
People
Population
1,013
637Lowest
3,216Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
58±3.5Highest
49% above U.S.
53.2±8.2
37% above U.S.
45.5±6.9Lowest
17% above U.S.
Jefferson and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
13.8%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Lancaster and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±9.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
28.6%±2.7
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±5.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jefferson and Leyden 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
U.S.: 35.7%
40%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.2%±1.5
U.S.: 6.4%
0.5%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.9%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Lancaster and Jefferson 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
17% below U.S.
$105,893±$13kHighest
31% above U.S.
$68,911±$23k
15% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$296,700±$92k
11% below U.S.
$372,900±$24kHighest
12% above U.S.
$215,700±$24kLowest
35% below U.S.
Leyden and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$156Lowest
39% below U.S.
$1,917±$451Highest
36% above U.S.
$1,019±$263
28% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,196Lowest
35% above U.S.
$4,651Highest
49% above U.S.
$4,226
35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
16.7%±71.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
36.1%±17
U.S.: 51.1%
Leyden and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
16.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
93.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1942Lowest
38 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
31% above U.S.
33 min
23% above U.S.
23 minLowest
13% below U.S.
Work from home
17.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11%±5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±6.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Jefferson and Lancaster 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
High school in town — — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 20 photos → 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.