Compare towns
Milton vs Hooksett vs Atkinson vs Acton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Milton has the most kids (18.4% under 18).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Atkinson has the most expensive homes ($555k median).
Acton has the most homeowners (96.1%).
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 | Milton | Hooksett | Atkinson | Acton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,538 |
15,057Highest |
7,267 |
2,721Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.7±2.4 17% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
57.1±2.8Highest 47% above U.S. |
52.9±4.2 36% above U.S. |
| Atkinson and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.4%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Milton and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.1%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.2%±4.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Atkinson and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
42.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.8%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $94,493±$27k 17% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11k 46% above U.S. |
$146,380±$32kHighest 81% above U.S. |
$78,750±$15kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Atkinson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $318,400±$34kLowest 4% below U.S. |
$407,000±$26k 22% above U.S. |
$555,200±$65kHighest 67% above U.S. |
$334,300±$34k about the U.S. average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,587±$318 12% above U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,140±$32Lowest 19% below U.S. |
— |
| Hooksett and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,663 82% above U.S. |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
$6,918Highest 122% above U.S. |
$2,680Lowest 14% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.7%±24.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
66.5%±39.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Acton and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
1.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 same as U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 26% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 53% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.9%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.1%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.2%±8.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Atkinson and Milton 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 | #116 of 120 in NH | #30 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #43 of 133 in ME |
| School district | Milton School District | Hooksett School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Acton Public Schools |
| High school in town | Nute High School | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.6 |
— | — | — |
| 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.