What stands out worked out from the figures below

Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).

Jefferson has grown the fastest since 2010 (-5.8%).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Nelson	Jefferson
People
Population	648Lowest	1,013Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6%	-5.8%Highest NH: +4.6%
Median age	42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average	58±3.5Highest 34% above NH
Kids under 18	27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2%	12.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2%
Age 65+	24.8%±2Lowest NH: 20.1%	33.7%±9.1Highest NH: 20.1%
	Jefferson 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%	28.4%Lowest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6%	2.2%±1.5Highest NH: 6%
	Jefferson and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$99,792±$23kHighest about the NH average	$67,188±$13kLowest 32% below NH
	Nelson and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$340,900±$49kHighest 15% below NH	$296,700±$92kLowest 26% below NH
	Nelson and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,203±$243Highest 19% below NH	$867±$156Lowest 42% below NH
	Nelson and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,575Highest 16% below NH	$4,196Lowest 37% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	40%±68.8Highest NH: 48.2%	16.7%±71.2Lowest NH: 48.2%
	Nelson and Jefferson 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%	8.7%Highest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	90.2%Lowest NH: 72.8%	90.5%Highest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH	1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	24 minLowest 9% below NH	35 minHighest 29% above NH
Work from home	31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8%	17.5%±6.3Lowest NH: 16.8%
	Nelson and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Nelson School District	—
High school in town	None in town	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.