Compare towns
Nelson vs Francestown vs Dublin
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Francestown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.1%).
Dublin has the most renters (16.8% rent).
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 | Nelson | Francestown | Dublin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 648Lowest |
1,398 |
1,688Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+3.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-4.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
51.2±4.5Highest 18% above NH |
49.3±8.4 14% above NH |
| Francestown and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±4.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.4%±3 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
21.7%±2.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
25%±4.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Dublin and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
52.9% NH: 40.6% |
45.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
2.6%±1.1 NH: 6% |
4.2%±3.9Highest NH: 6% |
| Dublin and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$104,063±$16k 5% above NH |
$104,659±$14kHighest 6% above NH |
| Dublin and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$408,200±$34k about the NH average |
$430,500±$72kHighest 7% above NH |
| Dublin and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,358±$256Highest 9% below NH |
$1,325±$165 11% below NH |
| Francestown and Dublin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$8,014 20% above NH |
$8,165Highest 22% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
66.7%±77Highest NH: 48.2% |
29.2%±8.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Francestown and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.2% NH: 7.2% |
9.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2% NH: 72.8% |
95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
83.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 4 yrs older than NH |
1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1968Lowest 11 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 9% below NH |
42 minHighest 57% above NH |
28 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
27.4%±7.7 NH: 16.8% |
22%±10.8Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Nelson School District | Contoocook Valley School District | Contoocook Valley School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.