Compare towns
Rupert vs Hooksett vs Pawlet vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Pawlet has the most affordable homes ($266k median).
Dorset has the most people working from home (29.3%).
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 | Rupert | Hooksett | Pawlet | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676Lowest |
15,057Highest |
1,480 |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 49% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
47.9±7.5 23% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
| Rupert and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
20.3%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
37.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hooksett and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36k 9% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below U.S. |
$111,250±$40k 38% above U.S. |
| Hooksett and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63k 9% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26k 22% above U.S. |
$266,200±$44kLowest 20% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,153±$215Lowest 18% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
| Hooksett and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 47% above U.S. |
$6,554 110% above U.S. |
$3,924Lowest 26% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.6%±21.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1964 16 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the U.S. average |
27 min about the U.S. average |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.4%±8.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Pawlet 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 | — | #30 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | — | Hooksett School District | Mettawee School District #84 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.