Compare towns
North Hampton vs Dorset vs Stratham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
North Hampton has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
Dorset has the most affordable homes ($569k median).
Stratham has the youngest population (median age 41.6).
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 | North Hampton | Dorset | Stratham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,543 |
2,092Lowest |
7,754Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3Highest 30% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
41.6±4.9Lowest 7% above U.S. |
| North Hampton and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.5%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| North Hampton and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
69.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±1.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Stratham and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $146,458±$29k 81% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kLowest 38% above U.S. |
$151,998±$20kHighest 88% above U.S. |
| Stratham and North Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $670,400±$61kHighest 102% above U.S. |
$569,200±$57kLowest 71% above U.S. |
$655,400±$36k 97% above U.S. |
| North Hampton and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,805±$106 28% above U.S. |
$1,420±$296Lowest about the U.S. average |
$2,511±$377Highest 78% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,529 173% above U.S. |
$7,489Lowest 140% above U.S. |
$9,781Highest 214% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
64%±38.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 7% below U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
27 minHighest about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.3%±6.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and North Hampton 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 | #12 of 120 in NH | — | #43 of 120 in NH |
| School district | North Hampton School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Stratham 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 |
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.