Compare towns
Meredith vs Wolfeboro vs Sanbornton vs Center Harbor
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Meredith has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.7%).
Wolfeboro has the most expensive homes ($547k median).
Sanbornton has the most kids (18.1% under 18).
Center Harbor has the oldest population (median age 60.4).
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 | Meredith | Wolfeboro | Sanbornton | Center Harbor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,758Highest |
6,571 |
3,053 |
955Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+2.3% NH: +4.6% |
+2% NH: +4.6% |
-5.1%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.5±3.7 28% above NH |
57±1.8 32% above NH |
41.9±5.4Lowest 3% below NH |
60.4±4.8Highest 39% above NH |
| Center Harbor and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.6%±3.3 NH: 18.2% |
13.7%±3.3 NH: 18.2% |
18.1%±5.5Highest NH: 18.2% |
11.9%±5.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Sanbornton and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 34.2%±5 NH: 20.1% |
34.6%±5.2 NH: 20.1% |
21.5%±4.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
39.5%±13.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Center Harbor and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.9% NH: 40.6% |
45% NH: 40.6% |
39.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
47.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±1.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.8%±1.8 NH: 6% |
1.9%±1.4 NH: 6% |
0.9%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Meredith and Wolfeboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,019±$19kLowest 12% below NH |
$94,375±$22k 5% below NH |
$113,750±$41kHighest 15% above NH |
$104,313±$16k 5% above NH |
| Sanbornton and Center Harbor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $480,100±$48k 19% above NH |
$546,500±$60kHighest 36% above NH |
$452,300±$30kLowest 12% above NH |
$463,800±$74k 15% above NH |
| Wolfeboro and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,149±$304 23% below NH |
$1,103±$76Lowest 26% below NH |
$1,289±$198Highest 14% below NH |
— |
| Sanbornton and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,006 25% below NH |
$4,531Lowest 32% below NH |
$5,731Highest 14% below NH |
$4,667 30% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.5%±9.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
12%±11.6Lowest NH: 48.2% |
29.3%±23.5 NH: 48.2% |
14.3%±59.4 NH: 48.2% |
| Meredith and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.7% NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
4.8% NH: 7.2% |
2%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
78.1% NH: 72.8% |
85.9% NH: 72.8% |
91%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
1982 3 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min about the NH average |
24 minLowest 11% below NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
25 min 8% below NH |
| Work from home | 23.7%±4.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
22.9%±6.6 NH: 16.8% |
15.8%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
8.9%±5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Meredith and Wolfeboro 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 | #62 of 120 in NH | #46 of 120 in NH | #42 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District | Governor Wentworth Regional School District | Winnisquam Regional School District | — |
| High school in town | Inter-Lakes High School | Kingswood Regional High School | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
11.1 |
— | — |
| 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.