Compare towns
Jefferson vs Unity vs Lancaster vs Washington
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 most people working from home (17.5%).
Unity has the most homeowners (94.5%).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).
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 | Unity | Lancaster | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,013Lowest |
1,375 |
3,216Highest |
1,208 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8% NH: +4.6% |
-9.2%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-8.2% NH: +4.6% |
+6.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 58±3.5Highest 34% above NH |
58±4.5Highest 34% above NH |
45.5±6.9Lowest 5% above NH |
55±4.7 27% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
12%±4.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
13.8%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
| Lancaster and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 33.7%±9.1 NH: 20.1% |
34.9%±7Highest NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
29%±3 NH: 20.1% |
| Unity and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.4% NH: 40.6% |
21.6%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
30.1% NH: 40.6% |
32%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5 NH: 6% |
1%±0.7Lowest NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2 NH: 6% |
4.6%±2.5Highest NH: 6% |
| Washington 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 |
$87,500±$16k 12% below NH |
$68,911±$23k 30% below NH |
$89,453±$12kHighest 10% below NH |
| Washington and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $296,700±$92k 26% below NH |
$276,100±$29k 31% below NH |
$215,700±$24kLowest 46% below NH |
$358,600±$32kHighest 11% below NH |
| Washington and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
$1,625±$804Highest 9% above NH |
$1,019±$263 32% below NH |
$1,106±$160 26% below NH |
| Unity and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196Lowest 37% below NH |
$5,394Highest 19% below NH |
$4,226 37% below NH |
$4,321 35% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2 NH: 48.2% |
40%±100Highest NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17 NH: 48.2% |
0%±88.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Unity 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% |
6.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
16.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
8.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5% NH: 72.8% |
94.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
94.4% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 29% above NH |
35 min 31% above NH |
23 minLowest 14% below NH |
36 minHighest 33% above NH |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
9.5%±4Lowest NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
14.9%±5.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Jefferson and Washington 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 | — | Unity School District | White Mountains Regional School District | Washington 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 | 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.