What stands out worked out from the figures below

South Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.7%).

Barnard has the most people working from home (19.3%).

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.

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

Measure	South Hooksett	Barnard
People
Population	5,902Highest	1,211Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+8.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	+4.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	35.2±3.6Lowest 10% below U.S.	42.4±6Highest 9% above U.S.
	Barnard and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	16.3%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22%	26.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	13.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	22%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	55.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	14.3%±0.8Highest U.S.: 6.4%	2.4%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$130,000±$15kHighest 61% above U.S.	$97,581±$19kLowest 21% above U.S.
	South Hooksett and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$433,200±$40kHighest 30% above U.S.	$402,600±$71kLowest 21% above U.S.
	South Hooksett and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,471±$217Highest 4% above U.S.	$1,372±$80Lowest about the U.S. average
	South Hooksett and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$6,801Highest 118% above U.S.	$6,038Lowest 94% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	36.1%±25Highest U.S.: 51.1%	27%±19.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	South Hooksett and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	4%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	82.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	85.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S.	1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	26 minLowest about the U.S. average	29 minHighest 8% above U.S.
Work from home	7.1%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	19.3%±10.8Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Barnard and South Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	—	Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
High school in town	—	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.