Compare towns
Springfield vs Croydon vs Plainfield vs Lyndeborough
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Springfield has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Croydon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Plainfield has the most kids (23.4% under 18).
Lyndeborough has the most homeowners (92.4%).
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 | Springfield | Croydon | Plainfield | Lyndeborough |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,122 |
798Lowest |
2,522Highest |
1,616 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+4.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+4% NH: +4.6% |
+1.1% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 51.4±8.8Highest 19% above NH |
43±9.1 about the NH average |
38.9±6.5Lowest 10% below NH |
50±3.2 15% above NH |
| Springfield and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±8 NH: 18.2% |
19%±6.3 NH: 18.2% |
23.4%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
14.9%±5.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Plainfield and Croydon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.8%±1.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
27.4%±3.6Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±4.5Lowest NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
| Croydon and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.4% NH: 40.6% |
21.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
40.1% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
4%±3.3 NH: 6% |
4.8%±2.3Highest NH: 6% |
3.7%±1.5 NH: 6% |
| Plainfield and Croydon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $100,893±$19k about the NH average |
$98,333±$21kLowest about the NH average |
$122,656±$13kHighest 24% above NH |
$116,964±$17k 18% above NH |
| Plainfield and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $384,100±$50k 5% below NH |
$317,300±$33kLowest 21% below NH |
$442,400±$47kHighest 10% above NH |
$390,900±$26k about the NH average |
| Plainfield and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$217 26% below NH |
$991±$336Lowest 34% below NH |
$1,674±$181Highest 12% above NH |
$1,482±$457 about the NH average |
| Plainfield and Lyndeborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,946 11% below NH |
$3,806Lowest 43% below NH |
$7,904Highest 19% above NH |
$7,133 7% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.9%±64.8 NH: 48.2% |
7.1%±75.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
31.8%±23.1 NH: 48.2% |
48.9%±90Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Lyndeborough and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
6.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.2% NH: 7.2% |
3.7% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% NH: 72.8% |
86.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
87.3% NH: 72.8% |
92.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above NH |
26 min about the NH average |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
39 minHighest 46% above NH |
| Work from home | 16.7%±11.6 NH: 16.8% |
5.3%±4.9Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.1%±8.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±3.5 NH: 16.8% |
| Plainfield and Springfield 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 | — | — | #19 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | — | Croydon School District | Plainfield School District | Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.