Compare towns
Northfield vs Atkinson vs Hampstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Atkinson has the highest household income ($146k).
Hampstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
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 | Northfield | Atkinson | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,971Lowest |
7,267 |
9,102Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5% NH: +4.6% |
+5.6%Highest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.1Lowest about the NH average |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
45.3±6.1 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
42.7% NH: 40.6% |
44.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.5Lowest NH: 6% |
5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 6% |
| Atkinson and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $92,917±$15kLowest 6% below NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$112,348±$18k 13% above NH |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,500±$33kLowest 28% below NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,140±$32 24% below NH |
$1,299±$149Highest 13% below NH |
| Hampstead and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,097Lowest 24% below NH |
$6,918 4% above NH |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.8% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Lowest same as NH |
1980 1 yr newer than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below NH |
28 min 6% above NH |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Hampstead 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 | #109 of 120 in NH | #32 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Winnisquam Regional School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Hampstead 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.