Compare towns
Meredith vs Strafford vs Jackson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Meredith has the most affordable homes ($231k median).
Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Jackson has the oldest population (median age 56.9).
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 | Strafford | Jackson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,467 |
1,372Lowest |
1,695Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 54.3±4.6 40% above U.S. |
51.4±4.7Lowest 32% above U.S. |
56.9±3.6Highest 46% above U.S. |
| Jackson and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
23%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Strafford and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.8%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.1%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
33.4%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jackson and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
53.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
32.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.4%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Strafford and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,938±$16k 6% above U.S. |
$110,833±$19kHighest 37% above U.S. |
$77,375±$8kLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Strafford and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $230,600±$24kLowest 31% below U.S. |
$431,300±$40kHighest 30% above U.S. |
$235,400±$40k 29% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$175Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$1,125±$789 20% below U.S. |
$1,139±$43Highest 19% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,630Lowest 16% above U.S. |
$7,149Highest 129% above U.S. |
$4,165 34% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.1%±53.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.6%±48Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
77.8%±44.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Jackson and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 23% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 10.1%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±4.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.1%±3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Strafford and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Strafford School District | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.