Compare towns
Pepperell vs Hooksett vs Groton vs Dunstable
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Pepperell has the oldest population (median age 42.4).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Groton has the most people working from home (27.5%).
Dunstable has the most homeowners (96.5%).
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 | Groton | Dunstable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,663 |
15,057Highest |
11,390 |
3,408Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3Highest 9% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
41.5±2.4 7% above U.S. |
| Pepperell and Dunstable 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% |
28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.4%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Groton and Dunstable are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
15%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Pepperell and Hooksett 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% |
70.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
62.4% 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% |
5.6%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.1%±2.5 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. |
$192,958±$27k 139% above U.S. |
$208,512±$23kHighest 158% above U.S. |
| Dunstable and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14k 45% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
$743,400±$46kHighest 123% above U.S. |
$674,000±$30k 103% above U.S. |
| Groton and Dunstable are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238Lowest 8% below U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,458±$335 3% above U.S. |
$1,325±$637 6% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Groton 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. |
$6,554Lowest 110% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$9,020 189% 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% |
43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
60%±77.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dunstable and Pepperell 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% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
0.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1987 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 28% above U.S. |
27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
32 min 22% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
27.5%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±3.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Groton and Dunstable 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 | #39 of 282 in MA | #4 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Hooksett School District | Groton-Dunstable | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 13.7 |
— |
| 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.