Compare towns

Newfane vs Thornton vs Brookline

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
Thornton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.8%).
Brookline has the most kids (20% under 18).

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.

MeasureNewfaneThorntonBrookline
People
Population
1,456
2,799Highest
531Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.4±3.9Highest
40% above U.S.
51.1±3.4
31% above U.S.
45.1±2.7Lowest
16% above U.S.
Newfane and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.1%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
13.9%±4.6
U.S.: 22%
20%±6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Brookline and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.2%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19%±4.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.6%±4.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
46.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
41.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.2%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Thornton and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,719±$21kLowest
17% below U.S.
$90,022±$17kHighest
12% above U.S.
$80,833±$16k
about the U.S. average
Thornton and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$284,200±$49kLowest
15% below U.S.
$351,900±$20kHighest
6% above U.S.
$290,700±$37k
13% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,266±$238Lowest
10% below U.S.
$1,270±$428
10% below U.S.
$1,732±$232Highest
23% above U.S.
Brookline and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,174Highest
66% above U.S.
$5,032
61% above U.S.
$5,000Lowest
60% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.9%±79.7
U.S.: 51.1%
57.7%±24.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
47.8%±94.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Thornton and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
9.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.2%
U.S.: 65.2%
88.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
28 minHighest
8% above U.S.
Work from home
30.8%±12.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.8%±9.7
U.S.: 15.1%
20.6%±5.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfane and Thornton 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 — #18 of 120 in NH —
School district West River Valley Union Education District #72A Thornton 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

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.