Compare towns
Lee vs Strafford vs Dalton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lee has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Dalton has the most kids (20.6% under 18).
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 | Lee | Strafford | Dalton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,719 |
4,306Lowest |
6,256Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55.2±5.8Highest 42% above U.S. |
46.3±2.1Lowest 19% above U.S. |
49.7±5.8 28% above U.S. |
| Lee and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.6%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dalton and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.4%±6.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.4%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±5.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Lee and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
40.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Strafford and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $83,750±$13k 4% above U.S. |
$122,105±$22kHighest 51% above U.S. |
$79,438±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $352,700±$19k 6% above U.S. |
$427,900±$29kHighest 29% above U.S. |
$295,700±$26kLowest 11% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,375±$212 about the U.S. average |
$1,635±$246Highest 16% above U.S. |
$872±$70Lowest 38% below U.S. |
| Strafford and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,980Lowest 28% above U.S. |
$6,086Highest 95% above U.S. |
$4,276 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.3%±21.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
76.3%±30.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.2%±19Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Strafford and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
93.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1959 21 yrs older than U.S. |
1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1957Lowest 23 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 31% below U.S. |
36 minHighest 36% above U.S. |
22 min 16% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 16.4%±7.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.9%±5 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.5%±7.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Lee and Strafford 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 | #209 of 282 in MA | #73 of 120 in NH | #192 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lee | Strafford School District | Central Berkshire |
| High school in town | Lee Middle/High School | None in town | Wahconah Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.2Lowest |
— | 10.9Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.