Compare towns
Mason vs Northfield vs Lyndeborough
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Mason has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Northfield has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Lyndeborough has the oldest population (median age 50).
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 | Mason | Northfield | Lyndeborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,451Lowest |
4,971Highest |
1,616 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+1.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 43.7±2.3 about the NH average |
42.6±5.1Lowest about the NH average |
50±3.2Highest 15% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 28.8%±6.3Highest NH: 18.2% |
20.3%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
14.9%±5.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Mason and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2.1Lowest NH: 20.1% |
17.2%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±1.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Lyndeborough and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.5% NH: 40.6% |
23.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
40.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±2.5Highest NH: 6% |
3.7%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Northfield and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,090±$3k 12% above NH |
$92,917±$15kLowest 6% below NH |
$116,964±$17kHighest 18% above NH |
| Lyndeborough and Mason are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $384,000±$21k 5% below NH |
$288,500±$33kLowest 28% below NH |
$390,900±$26kHighest about the NH average |
| Lyndeborough and Mason are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,530±$852Highest 70% above NH |
$1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,482±$457 about the NH average |
| Mason and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,049 6% above NH |
$5,097Lowest 24% below NH |
$7,133Highest 7% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 87.2%±42.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
48.9%±90 NH: 48.2% |
| Mason and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.7% NH: 7.2% |
8.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.7%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% NH: 72.8% |
71.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
1979Lowest same as NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 41 minHighest 53% above NH |
26 minLowest 4% below NH |
39 min 46% above NH |
| Work from home | 20.7%±4.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
| Mason and Lyndeborough 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 | — | #109 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Mason School District | Winnisquam Regional School District | Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative 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.