Compare towns

Plainfield vs Dover vs Groton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has the oldest population (median age 48.1).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Groton has the most affordable homes ($243k median).

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.

MeasurePlainfieldDoverGroton
People
Population
1,314
33,364Highest
967Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
48.1±5.5Highest
24% above U.S.
36.9±1.9Lowest
5% below U.S.
45.7±5.8
17% above U.S.
Plainfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
16.9%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
13.3%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Dover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
16.8%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.5%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
Plainfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
52%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.2%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Groton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31kLowest
14% below U.S.
$94,829±$7kHighest
17% above U.S.
$77,250±$14k
4% below U.S.
Dover and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34k
4% below U.S.
$436,700±$20kHighest
31% above U.S.
$243,000±$70kLowest
27% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103
18% below U.S.
$1,607±$100Highest
14% above U.S.
$288±$151Lowest
80% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806
54% above U.S.
$8,249Highest
164% above U.S.
$3,659Lowest
17% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.6%±6.3
U.S.: 51.1%
12.5%±72.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
52.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
9% below U.S.
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
30 minHighest
15% above U.S.
Work from home
16.4%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
18.6%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.3%±7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Dover and Plainfield 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 — #64 of 120 in NH —
School district — Dover School District —
High school in town — Dover Senior High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.7
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.