Compare towns
Newfields vs Somersworth vs Keene vs Lyme
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Somersworth has the most kids (19.9% under 18).
Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k median).
Lyme has the oldest population (median age 48.6).
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 | Newfields | Somersworth | Keene | Lyme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,023 |
12,111 |
22,939Highest |
1,710Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.3%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8% NH: +4.6% |
-1.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+1.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 44.1±1.8 about the NH average |
38.4±2.7 11% below NH |
37.6±2.3Lowest 13% below NH |
48.6±7.8Highest 12% above NH |
| Lyme and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.9%±1.6 NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
19.5%±3.4 NH: 18.2% |
| Somersworth and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 13.6%±0.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
14%±3 NH: 20.1% |
19.5%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
26.5%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68.1% NH: 40.6% |
31.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
44.1% NH: 40.6% |
70.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±7.2 NH: 6% |
4.9%±2 NH: 6% |
13.8%±1.4Highest NH: 6% |
3.3%±1.9Lowest NH: 6% |
| Keene and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $197,885±$15kHighest 100% above NH |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
$78,445±$8k 21% below NH |
$133,906±$15k 35% above NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $646,400±$34kHighest 61% above NH |
$318,400±$23k 21% below NH |
$252,500±$12kLowest 37% below NH |
$645,000±$64k 60% above NH |
| Newfields and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,875±$323Highest 26% above NH |
$1,477±$134 about the NH average |
$1,342±$68Lowest 10% below NH |
$1,418±$130 5% below NH |
| Newfields and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
$6,805Lowest about the NH average |
$6,812 about the NH average |
$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.3%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±6.1 NH: 48.2% |
52.8%±29.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Somersworth and Lyme are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
11.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
10.1% NH: 7.2% |
4.4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
57.8% NH: 72.8% |
55.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
80.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1991Highest 12 yrs newer than NH |
1967 12 yrs older than NH |
1961Lowest 18 yrs older than NH |
1977 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 4% below NH |
26 minHighest 3% below NH |
17 minLowest 36% below NH |
21 min 22% below NH |
| Work from home | 25.5%±3.7 NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
15.6%±2.7 NH: 16.8% |
27.2%±5.4Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Lyme and Newfields 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 | — | #117 of 120 in NH | #81 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Newfields School District | Somersworth School District | Keene School District | Lyme School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Somersworth High School | Keene High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.4Lowest |
12.3Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.