Compare towns
Mason vs Ripton vs Worcester vs Chichester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Mason has the most kids (28.8% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Chichester has the most expensive homes ($409k 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 | Mason | Ripton | Worcester | Chichester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,451 |
508Lowest |
831 |
2,745Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+25.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.7±2.3 12% above U.S. |
47.7±14.2Highest 23% above U.S. |
47±2.7 21% above U.S. |
43±3.3Lowest 11% above U.S. |
| Ripton and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 28.8%±6.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
20.3%±4.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Mason and Chichester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.5%±7.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±2.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.2%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
48% U.S.: 35.7% |
53%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
20.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $111,090±$3k 38% above U.S. |
$112,917±$15kHighest 40% above U.S. |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$109,297±$13k 35% above U.S. |
| Ripton 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 15% above U.S. |
$394,400±$61k 19% above U.S. |
$271,100±$27kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$409,300±$26kHighest 23% above U.S. |
| Chichester and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,530±$852Highest 79% above U.S. |
— | $1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$2,055±$275 45% above U.S. |
| Mason and Chichester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,049 126% above U.S. |
$4,915 58% above U.S. |
$4,421Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$7,189Highest 130% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 87.2%±42.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.9%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.6%±34.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Mason and Chichester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1973Lowest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 41 minHighest 55% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
29 min 9% above U.S. |
30 min 15% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.7%±4.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
17.2%±8.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
19%±8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Worcester and Mason 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 | — | — | — | #75 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Mason School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Chichester School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.