Compare towns

Stoddard vs Washington vs Nelson

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stoddard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.5%).
Washington has the most expensive homes ($359k median).
Nelson has the most people working from home (31.5%).

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.

MeasureStoddardWashingtonNelson
People
Population
1,072
1,208Highest
648Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.5%Highest
NH: +4.6%
+6.1%
NH: +4.6%
-13.7%Lowest
NH: +4.6%
Median age
53±4
22% above NH
55±4.7Highest
27% above NH
42.3±11.7Lowest
about the NH average
Washington and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±3.4
NH: 18.2%
13.8%±4.9Lowest
NH: 18.2%
27.5%±6.6Highest
NH: 18.2%
Nelson and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.4%±2.5Lowest
NH: 20.1%
29%±3Highest
NH: 20.1%
24.8%±2
NH: 20.1%
Washington and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.1%
NH: 40.6%
32%Lowest
NH: 40.6%
61.1%Highest
NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.7
NH: 6%
4.6%±2.5Highest
NH: 6%
0.9%±2.1Lowest
NH: 6%
Washington and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,904±$11k
4% below NH
$89,453±$12kLowest
10% below NH
$99,792±$23kHighest
about the NH average
Nelson and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$330,300±$20kLowest
18% below NH
$358,600±$32kHighest
11% below NH
$340,900±$49k
15% below NH
Washington and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$751Lowest
40% below NH
$1,106±$160
26% below NH
$1,203±$243Highest
19% below NH
Nelson and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,316Lowest
35% below NH
$4,321
35% below NH
$5,575Highest
16% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.6%±100Highest
NH: 48.2%
0%±88.9Lowest
NH: 48.2%
40%±68.8
NH: 48.2%
Stoddard and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%
NH: 7.2%
8.7%Highest
NH: 7.2%
1.4%Lowest
NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.3%
NH: 72.8%
94.4%Highest
NH: 72.8%
90.2%Lowest
NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
1 yr older than NH
1983Highest
4 yrs newer than NH
1975Lowest
4 yrs older than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
25% above NH
36 minHighest
33% above NH
24 minLowest
9% below NH
Work from home
9.5%±4Lowest
NH: 16.8%
14.9%±5.3
NH: 16.8%
31.5%±8Highest
NH: 16.8%
Schools
School district Stoddard School District Washington School District Nelson 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

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.