Compare towns
Nelson vs Newfields vs Francestown
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).
Newfields has the highest household income ($198k).
Francestown has the oldest population (median age 51.2).
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 | Newfields | Francestown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 648Lowest |
2,023Highest |
1,398 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+3.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
44.1±1.8 about the NH average |
51.2±4.5Highest 18% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.9%±1.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.8%±4.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±2Highest NH: 20.1% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
21.7%±2.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Nelson and Francestown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1% NH: 40.6% |
68.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
52.9%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
7.5%±7.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.6%±1.1 NH: 6% |
| Newfields 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 |
$197,885±$15kHighest 100% above NH |
$104,063±$16k 5% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$646,400±$34kHighest 61% above NH |
$408,200±$34k about the NH average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$1,875±$323Highest 26% above NH |
$1,358±$256 9% below NH |
| Newfields and Francestown 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$8,014 20% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
43.3%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
66.7%±77Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Francestown and Newfields 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% |
2.4% NH: 7.2% |
8.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 9% below NH |
26 min 4% below NH |
42 minHighest 57% above NH |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.5%±3.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
27.4%±7.7 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 | Newfields 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.