Compare towns

Nelson vs Stoddard vs Springfield

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 people working from home (31.5%).
Stoddard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.5%).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k 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.

MeasureNelsonStoddardSpringfield
People
Population
648Lowest
1,072
1,122Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-13.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
+11.5%Highest
NH: +4.6%
-4%
NH: +4.6%
Median age
42.3±11.7Lowest
about the NH average
53±4Highest
22% above NH
51.4±8.8
19% above NH
Stoddard and Springfield 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%
17.5%±3.4
NH: 18.2%
15.1%±8Lowest
NH: 18.2%
Nelson and Stoddard 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%
24.4%±2.5
NH: 20.1%
19.8%±1.6Lowest
NH: 20.1%
Nelson and Stoddard 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%
34.1%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
36.4%
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±2.1
NH: 6%
3.5%±1.7Highest
NH: 6%
0%±1.5Lowest
NH: 6%
Stoddard 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±$23k
about the NH average
$94,904±$11kLowest
4% below NH
$100,893±$19kHighest
about the NH average
Springfield and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$340,900±$49k
15% below NH
$330,300±$20kLowest
18% below NH
$384,100±$50kHighest
5% below NH
Springfield and Nelson 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
$895±$751Lowest
40% below NH
$1,096±$217
26% below NH
Nelson and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,575
16% below NH
$4,316Lowest
35% below NH
$5,946Highest
11% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±68.8
NH: 48.2%
52.6%±100Highest
NH: 48.2%
25.9%±64.8Lowest
NH: 48.2%
Stoddard 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%
4.8%Highest
NH: 7.2%
3.4%
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.2%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
93.3%Highest
NH: 72.8%
90.7%
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Lowest
4 yrs older than NH
1978
1 yr older than NH
1985Highest
6 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
9% below NH
34 min
25% above NH
34 minHighest
29% above NH
Work from home
31.5%±8Highest
NH: 16.8%
9.5%±4Lowest
NH: 16.8%
16.7%±11.6
NH: 16.8%
Nelson and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Nelson School District Stoddard School District —
High school 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.