Compare towns
Northfield vs Atkinson vs Pittsfield
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 shortest commute (26 min average).
Atkinson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Pittsfield has the most renters (31.2% rent).
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 | Pittsfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,971 |
7,267Highest |
4,105Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% NH: +4.6% |
+5%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.1 about the NH average |
57.1±2.8Highest 32% above NH |
41.5±5.1Lowest 4% below NH |
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±3.8Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.8%±6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Pittsfield 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% |
18.7%±4.6 NH: 20.1% |
| Atkinson and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.7% NH: 40.6% |
42.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
22.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.5 NH: 6% |
5.8%±4Highest NH: 6% |
4.5%±3.1Lowest 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±$15k 6% below NH |
$146,380±$32kHighest 48% above NH |
$74,318±$14kLowest 25% below NH |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,500±$33kLowest 28% below NH |
$555,200±$65kHighest 38% above NH |
$294,800±$30k 27% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,140±$32 24% below NH |
$1,239±$182Highest 17% below NH |
| Pittsfield 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 |
$6,918Highest 4% above NH |
$5,694 15% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
66.5%±39.1 NH: 48.2% |
67.5%±27.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Pittsfield and Atkinson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.1% NH: 7.2% |
1.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
11.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6% NH: 72.8% |
92.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
68.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Lowest same as NH |
1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
1980Highest 1 yr newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below NH |
28 minHighest 6% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.1%±6.3Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.6%±5 NH: 16.8% |
| Atkinson and Pittsfield 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 | #93 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Winnisquam Regional School District | Timberlane Regional School District | Pittsfield School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Pittsfield High School |
| 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.


