Compare towns
Meredith vs Strafford vs Lincoln
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 oldest population (median age 54.3).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Lincoln has the most affordable homes ($202k 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 | Meredith | Strafford | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,467 |
1,372Lowest |
1,749Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-10.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 54.3±4.6Highest 40% above U.S. |
51.4±4.7Lowest 32% above U.S. |
53.6±2.3 38% above U.S. |
| Meredith and Lincoln 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% |
15.3%±2.5Lowest 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%±4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.1%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.4%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Meredith and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
53.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.4% 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% |
4.4%±2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Strafford and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,938±$16kLowest 6% above U.S. |
$110,833±$19kHighest 37% above U.S. |
$96,100±$12k 19% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $230,600±$24k 31% below U.S. |
$431,300±$40kHighest 30% above U.S. |
$202,100±$25kLowest 39% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$175Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$1,125±$789 20% below U.S. |
$1,196±$309Highest 15% below U.S. |
| Lincoln 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. |
$3,800 22% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.1%±53.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.6%±48Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.2%±65 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Meredith and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
88.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
93.8%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 23% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 10.1%±4.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±4.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.4%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Strafford and Meredith 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.