Compare towns
Lancaster vs Sheldon 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 oldest population (median age 45.5).
Sheldon has the most expensive homes ($272k 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 | Sheldon | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,216Highest |
2,267 |
2,230Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -8.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.5±6.9Highest 17% above U.S. |
40.9±3.5 5% above U.S. |
38.6±8.5Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Lancaster and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.9%±6.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.7%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
25.1%±8.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Lancaster and Sheldon 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% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.6%±4.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lancaster and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
14.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
23.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Lancaster 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. |
$78,533±$25kHighest about the U.S. average |
$66,765±$20kLowest 17% below U.S. |
| Sheldon 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. |
$272,400±$61kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$200,500±$24kLowest 40% below U.S. |
| Sheldon and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,019±$263Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,286±$379Highest 9% below U.S. |
$1,036±$221 27% below U.S. |
| Sheldon and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,226Highest 35% above U.S. |
$3,578Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$4,225 35% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 36.1%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.2%±18.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lancaster 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% |
5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
19.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
89%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
65.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1942 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 13% below U.S. |
25 minHighest 5% below U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±3.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.6%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sheldon 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 | — | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | White Mountains Regional School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | — |
| 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.