Compare towns
Lancaster vs Hardwick 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
Lancaster has the most homeowners (75.1%).
Hardwick has the most expensive homes ($347k median).
Lancaster has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.5%).
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 | Lancaster | Hardwick | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,216Highest |
2,684 |
2,230Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -8.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.5±6.9Highest 17% above U.S. |
45.3±9.8 16% above U.S. |
38.6±8.5Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Lancaster and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.9%±6.1 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
25.1%±8.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Lancaster and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.4%±5.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.7%±5 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.6%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lancaster and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
30.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
23.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±4.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hardwick and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $68,911±$23k 15% below U.S. |
$75,000±$22kHighest 7% below U.S. |
$66,765±$20kLowest 17% below U.S. |
| Hardwick and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $215,700±$24k 35% below U.S. |
$346,700±$67kHighest 4% above U.S. |
$200,500±$24kLowest 40% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,019±$263Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,108±$119Highest 22% below U.S. |
$1,036±$221 27% below U.S. |
| Hardwick and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,226 35% above U.S. |
$4,400Highest 41% above U.S. |
$4,225Lowest 35% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.1%±17Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
59%±13.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.2%±18.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hardwick and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
11%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
19.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
68.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
65.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1942 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Highest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 13% below U.S. |
31 minHighest 18% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.5%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.7%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.6%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Lancaster 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 | #163 of 282 in MA | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | White Mountains Regional School District | Quabbin | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.