Compare towns

Surry vs Orange vs Alstead

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Surry has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12%).
Orange has the most affordable homes ($222k median).
Alstead has the most renters (24% rent).

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.

MeasureSurryOrangeAlstead
People
Population
1,052
957Lowest
1,551Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+12%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.7±5.1Lowest
15% above U.S.
50.3±5.3
29% above U.S.
56±3.3Highest
44% above U.S.
Alstead and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±6.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.6%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Surry and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.3%±7
U.S.: 17.2%
19.4%±4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.8%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Alstead and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
22.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.6%±6.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Surry and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,125±$25kHighest
36% above U.S.
$71,302±$13k
12% below U.S.
$64,526±$11kLowest
20% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$331,400±$23kHighest
about the U.S. average
$222,000±$22kLowest
33% below U.S.
$271,600±$37k
18% below U.S.
Surry and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,955±$374Highest
38% above U.S.
$1,330±$153Lowest
6% below U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,384Highest
105% above U.S.
$3,545Lowest
14% above U.S.
$5,322
71% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.3%±74.3
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±87Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
72.1%±22.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Alstead and Surry are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
87.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
76%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
17% below U.S.
28 min
6% above U.S.
32 minHighest
20% above U.S.
Work from home
16%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.5%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±5.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Surry and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Fall Mountain Regional School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.