Compare towns
Pepperell vs Hooksett vs Dunstable vs Hanson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Dunstable has the highest household income ($209k).
Hanson has the oldest population (median age 42.8).
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 | Pepperell | Hooksett | Dunstable | Hanson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,663 |
15,057Highest |
3,408Lowest |
10,660 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 9% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
41.5±2.4 7% above U.S. |
42.8±3Highest 10% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.1%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.6%±3.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Dunstable and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
15%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.7%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hanson and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
62.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.1%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Dunstable are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,073±$12k 54% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11kLowest 46% above U.S. |
$208,512±$23kHighest 158% above U.S. |
$132,200±$10k 64% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14k 45% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
$674,000±$30kHighest 103% above U.S. |
$533,900±$36k 60% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238Lowest 8% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206 18% above U.S. |
$1,325±$637 6% below U.S. |
$1,821±$860Highest 29% above U.S. |
| Hanson and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,698 115% above U.S. |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
$9,020Highest 189% above U.S. |
$6,402Lowest 105% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
60%±77.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
69%±33.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hanson and Dunstable are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
0.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1987 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 28% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
34 min 27% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±3.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dunstable and Pepperell 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 | #153 of 282 in MA | #30 of 120 in NH | #4 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Hooksett School District | Groton-Dunstable | Whitman-Hanson |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Whitman Hanson Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 14.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.