Compare towns
Sullivan vs Surry vs Lempster
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 the most affordable homes ($237k median).
Surry has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12%).
Lempster has the oldest population (median age 50.8).
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 | Surry | Lempster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 687Lowest |
1,052Highest |
953 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.8% NH: +4.6% |
+12%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-3.1%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 46.6±6.5 8% above NH |
44.7±5.1Lowest 3% above NH |
50.8±7.2Highest 17% above NH |
| Lempster 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% |
20.8%±6.2Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.8%±4.1Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Surry and Sullivan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.5%±3.6Lowest NH: 20.1% |
23.3%±7 NH: 20.1% |
25.4%±3.5Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Lempster and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
31.7%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.5%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.6Lowest NH: 6% |
6.6%±6.6Highest NH: 6% |
6.1%±2.6 NH: 6% |
| Surry and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $106,667±$20k 8% above NH |
$110,125±$25kHighest 11% above NH |
$86,607±$12kLowest 13% below NH |
| Surry and Sullivan 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 |
$331,400±$23kHighest 18% below NH |
$241,900±$29k 40% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,225±$275Lowest 18% below NH |
$1,955±$374Highest 31% above NH |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,099 24% below NH |
$6,384Highest 4% below NH |
$4,558Lowest 32% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±84.5 NH: 48.2% |
33.3%±74.3Lowest NH: 48.2% |
100%±100Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Lempster 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% |
3.1%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
7.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.6% NH: 72.8% |
91.6%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
98.2%Highest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest same as NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
1977Lowest 2 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above NH |
22 minLowest 18% below NH |
37 minHighest 40% above NH |
| Work from home | 4.2%±2.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
16%±7.1Highest NH: 16.8% |
5%±2.5 NH: 16.8% |
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | — | Lempster School District |
| High school 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.