Compare towns
North Hampton vs Nelson vs Stratham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
North Hampton has the oldest population (median age 50.5).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Stratham has the highest household income ($152k).
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 | Nelson | Stratham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,543 |
648Lowest |
7,754Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 50.5±3.3Highest 17% above NH |
42.3±11.7 about the NH average |
41.6±4.9Lowest 4% below NH |
| North Hampton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±5.4Lowest NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
23.5%±5.3 NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Stratham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.9Highest NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| North Hampton and Nelson 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 NH: 40.6% |
61.1% NH: 40.6% |
69.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.5 NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
3.9%±1.7Highest NH: 6% |
| Stratham and North Hampton 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 48% above NH |
$99,792±$23kLowest about the NH average |
$151,998±$20kHighest 53% above NH |
| 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 67% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
$655,400±$36k 63% above NH |
| 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 21% above NH |
$1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
$2,511±$377Highest 68% above NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,529 28% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
$9,781Highest 47% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 23.5%±21Lowest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
64%±38.2Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Stratham and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
2.4% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.3% NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 8% below NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
27 minHighest about the NH average |
| Work from home | 25.9%±6.9 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
25.3%±6.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson 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 | Nelson School District | 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 |
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.