Compare towns
Sullivan vs Nelson vs Springfield vs Gilsum
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sullivan has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.8%).
Nelson has the most people working from home (31.5%).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
Gilsum has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Sullivan | Nelson | Springfield | Gilsum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 687 |
648Lowest |
1,122Highest |
716 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
-4% NH: +4.6% |
-7.5% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 46.6±6.5 8% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
51.4±8.8Highest 19% above NH |
44.8±8.1 3% above NH |
| Springfield and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±5 NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
15.1%±8 NH: 18.2% |
12%±3.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.5%±3.6 NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2Highest NH: 20.1% |
19.8%±1.6 NH: 20.1% |
19.3%±1.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
| Nelson and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5% NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
36.4% NH: 40.6% |
18.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.6Highest NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1 NH: 6% |
0%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
3.1%±2.3 NH: 6% |
| Sullivan and Gilsum are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,667±$20kHighest 8% above NH |
$99,792±$23k about the NH average |
$100,893±$19k about the NH average |
$80,417±$7kLowest 19% below NH |
| Sullivan and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $236,500±$29kLowest 41% below NH |
$340,900±$49k 15% below NH |
$384,100±$50kHighest 5% below NH |
$241,500±$32k 40% below NH |
| Springfield and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,225±$275 18% below NH |
$1,203±$243 19% below NH |
$1,096±$217Lowest 26% below NH |
$1,575±$894Highest 6% above NH |
| Gilsum and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,099Lowest 24% below NH |
$5,575 16% below NH |
$5,946Highest 11% below NH |
$5,579 16% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±84.5 NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
25.9%±64.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
76.5%±55.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Gilsum and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.1% NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
3.4% NH: 7.2% |
13.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
90.2%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.7% NH: 72.8% |
93.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 same as NH |
1975 4 yrs older than NH |
1985Highest 6 yrs newer than NH |
1972Lowest 7 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above NH |
24 minLowest 9% below NH |
34 minHighest 29% above NH |
27 min about the NH average |
| Work from home | 4.2%±2.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
16.7%±11.6 NH: 16.8% |
11.9%±8.7 NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Nelson School District | — | Monadnock Regional School District |
| High school 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.