Compare towns
Kensington vs North Hampton vs Nelson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Kensington has the highest household income ($165k).
North Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k 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 | Kensington | North Hampton | Nelson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,009 |
4,543Highest |
648Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% NH: +4.6% |
+5.5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 43.3±5.9 about the NH average |
50.5±3.3Highest 17% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
| North Hampton and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.1%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.2%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
26%±4.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
| North Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
54.5% NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±1.3Highest NH: 6% |
2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Kensington and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$146,458±$29k 48% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
| Kensington and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $657,700±$47k 63% above NH |
$670,400±$61kHighest 67% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
| North Hampton and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
$1,805±$106 21% above NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
| Kensington and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,637Highest 45% above NH |
$8,529 28% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.4%±38.5 NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Nelson and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.9% NH: 7.2% |
2.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
91.3% NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 7% above NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
| Work from home | 19.2%±3.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and North Hampton 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 | — | #12 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Kensington School District | North Hampton School District | Nelson 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.