Compare towns
Plaistow vs Walpole vs Somersworth
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Plaistow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.9%).
Walpole has the oldest population (median age 46.5).
Somersworth has the most renters (42.2% rent).
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 | Plaistow | Walpole | Somersworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,861 |
3,690Lowest |
12,111Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.9%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-2.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+0.8% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 40.1±3.7 7% below NH |
46.5±10.4Highest 7% above NH |
38.4±2.7Lowest 11% below NH |
| Walpole and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.8%±4.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
22.2%±5.2Highest NH: 18.2% |
19.9%±4 NH: 18.2% |
| Walpole and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.4%±3.7 NH: 20.1% |
25.5%±5.4Highest NH: 20.1% |
14%±3Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Walpole and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.9%Highest NH: 40.6% |
32.9% NH: 40.6% |
31.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±1.4Lowest NH: 6% |
4%±2.8 NH: 6% |
4.9%±2Highest NH: 6% |
| Somersworth and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,317±$13kHighest 9% above NH |
$82,617±$16k 17% below NH |
$74,504±$13kLowest 25% below NH |
| Plaistow and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $404,500±$32kHighest about the NH average |
$319,800±$48k 21% below NH |
$318,400±$23kLowest 21% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,664±$187Highest 12% above NH |
$1,165±$150Lowest 22% below NH |
$1,477±$134 about the NH average |
| Plaistow and Somersworth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,194Highest 8% above NH |
$6,078Lowest 9% below NH |
$6,805 about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.3%±16.9 NH: 48.2% |
51.6%±21.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
56.3%±14.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Somersworth and Plaistow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.5%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
11.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
11.2% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.1%Highest NH: 72.8% |
69.9% NH: 72.8% |
57.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 1 yr older than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
1967Lowest 12 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 7% above NH |
23 minLowest 13% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
| Work from home | 13.6%±4Highest NH: 16.8% |
7.2%±4.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
11.7%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
| Plaistow and Somersworth 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 | #66 of 120 in NH | #27 of 120 in NH | #117 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District | Fall Mountain Regional School District | Somersworth School District |
| High school in town | Timberlane Regional High School | None in town | Somersworth High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.4 |
— | 11.4 |
| 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.