Compare towns
Thetford vs Hampton vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Thetford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 55.8).
Dorset has the most kids (24% under 18).
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 | Thetford | Hampton | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,813 |
16,426Highest |
2,092Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.6±6.2Lowest 12% above U.S. |
55.8±2.1Highest 43% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 15.4%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
11.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.8%±6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.9%±2.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68% U.S.: 35.7% |
42.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±4.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Thetford and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $88,045±$16kLowest 9% above U.S. |
$95,233±$9k 18% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $329,500±$96kLowest about the U.S. average |
$550,200±$39k 65% above U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,141±$96Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$1,628±$94Highest 15% above U.S. |
$1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
| Hampton and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,948 123% above U.S. |
$6,813Lowest 118% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.7%±30.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.8%±10.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
73.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1978Highest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 14% below U.S. |
26 minHighest about the U.S. average |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.6%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.7%±3.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Hampton 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 | #40 of 70 in VT | #31 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Thetford School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| High school in town | None in town | Winnacunnet High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.1 |
— |
| 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.