Compare towns
Jefferson vs Stratham vs Lancaster
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).
Stratham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.7%).
Lancaster has the most affordable homes ($216k median).
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 | Stratham | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,013Lowest |
7,754Highest |
3,216 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8% NH: +4.6% |
+5.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-8.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 58±3.5Highest 34% above NH |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
45.5±6.9 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1 NH: 18.2% |
| Stratham and Lancaster 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% |
20.6%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8 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% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
30.1% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2 NH: 6% |
| Stratham 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 |
$151,998±$20kHighest 53% above NH |
$68,911±$23k 30% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $296,700±$92k 26% below NH |
$655,400±$36kHighest 63% above NH |
$215,700±$24kLowest 46% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
$2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
$1,019±$263 32% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196Lowest 37% below NH |
$9,781Highest 47% above NH |
$4,226 37% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17 NH: 48.2% |
| Stratham 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% |
2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
16.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1986 7 yrs newer than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 29% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
23 minLowest 14% below NH |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Stratham 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 | — | #43 of 120 in NH | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham School District | White Mountains Regional School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 20 photos → | 6 photos → | 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.