Compare towns
Thornton vs Hampton vs Hampstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Thornton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.8%).
Hampton has the most renters (26.2% rent).
Hampstead has the most kids (21.3% 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 | Thornton | Hampton | Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,799Lowest |
16,426Highest |
9,102 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
+5.1%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.6% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 51.1±3.4 18% above NH |
55.8±2.1Highest 29% above NH |
45.3±6.1Lowest 5% above NH |
| Hampton and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±4.6 NH: 18.2% |
11.6%±2.3Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21.3%±3.7Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Hampstead and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19%±4.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
30.9%±2.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
21.8%±4 NH: 20.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.3%Highest NH: 40.6% |
42.8%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
44.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.9 NH: 6% |
3.1%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±1.6Highest NH: 6% |
| Hampstead and Thornton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $90,022±$17kLowest 9% below NH |
$95,233±$9k 4% below NH |
$112,348±$18kHighest 13% above NH |
| Hampstead and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $351,900±$20kLowest 13% below NH |
$550,200±$39kHighest 37% above NH |
$521,100±$45k 29% above NH |
| Hampton and Hampstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,270±$428Lowest 15% below NH |
$1,628±$94Highest 9% above NH |
$1,299±$149 13% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,032Lowest 25% below NH |
$6,813 about the NH average |
$8,634Highest 30% above NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.7%±24.7Highest NH: 48.2% |
56.8%±10.4 NH: 48.2% |
44.1%±20.2Lowest NH: 48.2% |
| Thornton and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.2%Highest NH: 7.2% |
5.6% NH: 7.2% |
3.8%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.3%Highest NH: 72.8% |
73.8%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
82.1% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 5 yrs newer than NH |
1978Lowest 1 yr older than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 15% below NH |
26 min 3% below NH |
30 minHighest 13% above NH |
| Work from home | 29.8%±9.7Highest NH: 16.8% |
21.7%±3.3 NH: 16.8% |
21%±4.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Thornton 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 | #18 of 120 in NH | #31 of 120 in NH | #49 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Thornton School District | Hampton School District · Winnacunnet Cooperative School District | Hampstead School District |
| 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 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.