What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sanbornton has the oldest population (median age 41.9).

Durham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).

Durham is a college town. 55.1% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Sanbornton	Durham
People
Population	3,053Lowest	15,080Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+2%Lowest NH: +4.6%	+5.8%Highest NH: +4.6%
Median age	41.9±5.4Highest 3% below NH	20.8±0.3Lowest 52% below NH
Kids under 18	18.1%±5.5Highest NH: 18.2%	10.3%±2.1Lowest NH: 18.2%
Age 65+	21.5%±4.4Highest NH: 20.1%	11.5%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	39.7%Lowest NH: 40.6%	75.4%Highest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.9%±1.4Lowest NH: 6%	55.1%±3.2Highest NH: 6%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$113,750±$41kLowest 15% above NH	$124,056±$21kHighest 25% above NH
	Durham and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$452,300±$30kLowest 12% above NH	$504,300±$41kHighest 25% above NH
	Durham and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,289±$198Lowest 14% below NH	$1,429±$143Highest 4% below NH
	Durham and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,731Lowest 14% below NH	$10,000+Highest at least 50% above NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	29.3%±23.5Lowest NH: 48.2%	66.4%±16Highest NH: 48.2%
	Durham and Sanbornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	4.8%Lowest NH: 7.2%	15.1%Highest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	85.9%Highest NH: 72.8%	64.4%Lowest NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1986Highest 7 yrs newer than NH	1981Lowest 2 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	31 minHighest 16% above NH	19 minLowest 27% below NH
Work from home	15.8%±6.1Lowest NH: 16.8%	19.4%±3.5Highest NH: 16.8%
	Durham and Sanbornton 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	#42 of 120 in NH	#9 of 120 in NH
School district	Winnisquam Regional School District	Oyster River Coop School District
High school in town	None in town	Oyster River High School
Students per teacherat that high school	—	12.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	None yet	51 photos →

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.