Compare towns
Wardsboro vs Hooksett vs Stratton vs West Fairlee
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wardsboro has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Hooksett has the most expensive homes ($407k median).
Stratton has the most kids (28% under 18).
West Fairlee has the most affordable homes ($237k median).
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 | Wardsboro | Hooksett | Stratton | West Fairlee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 820 |
15,057Highest |
532Lowest |
711 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | -4.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.6±7.3Highest 33% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5 6% above U.S. |
31.5±4.1Lowest 19% below U.S. |
50.3±7.6 29% above U.S. |
| Wardsboro and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±6.5 U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
28%±7.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.5%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Stratton and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
11.7%±4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.7%±6.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| West Fairlee and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
33.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±2.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $62,000±$6kLowest 23% below U.S. |
$117,962±$11k 46% above U.S. |
$122,708±$33kHighest 52% above U.S. |
$76,500±$16k 5% below U.S. |
| Stratton and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $299,300±$47k 10% below U.S. |
$407,000±$26kHighest 22% above U.S. |
$400,000±$50k 20% above U.S. |
$237,200±$35kLowest 29% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,479±$224 5% above U.S. |
$1,661±$206Highest 18% above U.S. |
$1,208±$979 15% below U.S. |
$1,113±$171Lowest 21% below U.S. |
| Hooksett and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,345Lowest 39% above U.S. |
$6,554Highest 110% above U.S. |
$4,750 52% above U.S. |
$5,210 67% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.5%±58Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
12%±69.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
50%±89.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Wardsboro and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
0%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
73.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1978Lowest 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
27 min about the U.S. average |
33 minHighest 24% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.3%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
5.5%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hooksett and Wardsboro 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 | — | #30 of 120 in NH | — | — |
| School district | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Hooksett School District | — | Rivendell Interstate School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.