Compare towns
Northumberland vs Stark vs Lancaster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Northumberland has the most affordable homes ($120k median).
Stark has the oldest population (median age 58.8).
Lancaster has the most kids (20.9% under 18).
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 | Northumberland | Stark | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,815 |
419Lowest |
3,216Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-14%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-8.2% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.7±6.2 6% above NH |
58.8±3.6Highest 36% above NH |
45.5±6.9Lowest 5% above NH |
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.5 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±6.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
20.9%±6.1Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Lancaster and Northumberland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.4%±5.2Lowest NH: 20.1% |
27.2%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
28.4%±5.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Lancaster and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 17.2%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
17.5% NH: 40.6% |
30.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.7Lowest NH: 6% |
3.6%±4.7Highest NH: 6% |
2.9%±2.2 NH: 6% |
| Stark and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $40,268±$7kLowest 59% below NH |
$71,750±$23kHighest 28% below NH |
$68,911±$23k 30% below NH |
| Stark and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $120,100±$15kLowest 70% below NH |
$197,700±$34k 51% below NH |
$215,700±$24kHighest 46% below NH |
| Lancaster and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,018±$96Lowest 32% below NH |
— | $1,019±$263Highest 32% below NH |
| Lancaster and Northumberland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,794 58% below NH |
$2,636Lowest 60% below NH |
$4,226Highest 37% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.7%±6.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
66.7%±100 NH: 48.2% |
36.1%±17Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Northumberland and Stark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 23.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
8.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
16.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.3% NH: 72.8% |
92.5%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1960 19 yrs older than NH |
1968Highest 11 yrs older than NH |
1942Lowest 37 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 33% below NH |
34 minHighest 27% above NH |
23 min 14% below NH |
| Work from home | 11.3%±6.6Lowest NH: 16.8% |
13.9%±6.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
11.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Stark and Lancaster 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 | — | — | #107 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Northumberland School District | Stark School District | White Mountains Regional School District |
| High school in town | Groveton High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 8.6 |
— | — |
| 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.