Compare towns
Wakefield vs Epping vs Milton vs Barnstead
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wakefield has the oldest population (median age 49.4).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Milton has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
Barnstead has the most kids (21% 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 | Wakefield | Epping | Milton | Barnstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,405 |
7,430Highest |
4,538Lowest |
4,994 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.4% NH: +4.6% |
+11.1%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-2.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 49.4±4.1Highest 14% above NH |
45.1±3.5 4% above NH |
45.7±2.4 6% above NH |
42.8±3.1Lowest about the NH average |
| Wakefield and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.7%±3.9 NH: 18.2% |
18.7%±4.8 NH: 18.2% |
18.4%±5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
21%±5Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Barnstead and Wakefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.8%±4.7 NH: 20.1% |
22.6%±5.2Highest NH: 20.1% |
16.1%±3.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
20.6%±4.8 NH: 20.1% |
| Epping and Barnstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 26.2% NH: 40.6% |
37%Highest NH: 40.6% |
21.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
30.9% NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.4%±1.1Lowest NH: 6% |
5.1%±3.3 NH: 6% |
2.3%±1.8 NH: 6% |
5.9%±2.9Highest NH: 6% |
| Barnstead and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $100,976±$11k about the NH average |
$104,220±$7k 5% above NH |
$94,493±$27kLowest 5% below NH |
$111,660±$12kHighest 13% above NH |
| Barnstead and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $322,800±$43k 20% below NH |
$436,900±$35kHighest 9% above NH |
$318,400±$34kLowest 21% below NH |
$362,400±$25k 10% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,375±$434Lowest 8% below NH |
$1,742±$576Highest 17% above NH |
$1,587±$318 6% above NH |
$1,395±$75 6% below NH |
| Epping and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,954Lowest 56% below NH |
$6,936Highest 4% above NH |
$5,663 15% below NH |
$6,003 10% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±82.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
67.8%±25.9Highest NH: 48.2% |
63.7%±24.9 NH: 48.2% |
47.6%±50.9 NH: 48.2% |
| Epping and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.2% NH: 7.2% |
4.7% NH: 7.2% |
8.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
3.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
86.3%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
93.6% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1989Highest 10 yrs newer than NH |
1980Lowest 1 yr newer than NH |
1985 6 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 34% above NH |
32 min 21% above NH |
33 min 25% above NH |
31 minLowest 16% above NH |
| Work from home | 15.1%±9.3 NH: 16.8% |
24%±6.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
18.9%±6.7 NH: 16.8% |
13%±4.5Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Epping and Milton 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 | #118 of 120 in NH | #77 of 120 in NH | #116 of 120 in NH | #111 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Wakefield School District | Epping School District | Milton School District | Barnstead School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Epping High School | Nute High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.3Lowest |
10.6Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.