Compare towns
Northfield vs Barnstead vs Boscawen
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).
Barnstead has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7%).
Boscawen has the oldest population (median age 46).
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 | Barnstead | Boscawen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,971 |
4,994Highest |
4,044Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% NH: +4.6% |
+7%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.1Lowest about the NH average |
42.8±3.1 about the NH average |
46±4.2Highest 6% above NH |
| Boscawen and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
21%±5Highest NH: 18.2% |
18.1%±4.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead 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% |
20.6%±4.8 NH: 20.1% |
25.2%±5.3Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Boscawen and Barnstead 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% |
30.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
20.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.5 NH: 6% |
5.9%±2.9Highest NH: 6% |
2.3%±1.9Lowest NH: 6% |
| Barnstead 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 |
$111,660±$12kHighest 13% above NH |
$77,328±$27kLowest 22% below NH |
| Barnstead and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,500±$33k 28% below NH |
$362,400±$25kHighest 10% below NH |
$286,500±$23kLowest 29% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,076±$182Lowest 28% below NH |
$1,395±$75Highest 6% below NH |
$1,265±$307 15% below NH |
| Barnstead and Boscawen 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 |
$6,003 10% below NH |
$6,549Highest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.1%±14.1Lowest NH: 48.2% |
47.6%±50.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
41.2%±21 NH: 48.2% |
| Barnstead and Boscawen 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% |
3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
17%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
93.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 4% below NH |
31 minHighest 16% above NH |
28 min 4% above NH |
| Work from home | 6.9%±3.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
13%±4.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
9.9%±6.1 NH: 16.8% |
| Barnstead and Boscawen 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 | #111 of 120 in NH | #51 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Winnisquam Regional School District | Barnstead School District | Merrimack Valley 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.