Compare towns
Madbury vs Center Harbor vs Kensington vs Holderness
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Madbury has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.3%).
Center Harbor has the oldest population (median age 60.4).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
Holderness has the most affordable homes ($363k 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 | Madbury | Center Harbor | Kensington | Holderness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,203Highest |
955Lowest |
2,009 |
1,917 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-5.1%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-1.4% NH: +4.6% |
-4.9% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 37.7±2.1Lowest 13% below NH |
60.4±4.8Highest 39% above NH |
43.3±5.9 about the NH average |
39.4±7.4 9% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 29%±5.9Highest NH: 18.2% |
11.9%±5.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
14.7%±9.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Age 65+ | 14.3%±2.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
39.5%±13.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9 NH: 20.1% |
31.4%±4.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Center Harbor and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.6% NH: 40.6% |
47.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
55.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±1.8Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Highest NH: 6% |
2.6%±1.6 NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $148,365±$30k 50% above NH |
$104,313±$16kLowest 5% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$107,863±$45k 9% above NH |
| Kensington and Madbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $476,900±$31k 18% above NH |
$463,800±$74k 15% above NH |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
$363,100±$60kLowest 10% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,574±$759Lowest 6% above NH |
— | $1,813±$627 22% above NH |
$2,068±$385Highest 39% above NH |
| Holderness and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$4,667 30% below NH |
$9,637 45% above NH |
$3,923Lowest 41% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±15.2 NH: 48.2% |
14.3%±59.4Lowest NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Highest NH: 48.2% |
23.5%±21.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Kensington and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.9% NH: 7.2% |
2% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
12.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
91% NH: 72.8% |
92.9%Highest NH: 72.8% |
83.7% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1981Lowest 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 5% below NH |
25 minLowest 8% below NH |
29 minHighest 7% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 14%±3.6 NH: 16.8% |
8.9%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
9.4%±4.1 NH: 16.8% |
| Kensington and Madbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Oyster River Coop School District | — | Kensington School District | Holderness 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.