Compare towns
Washington vs Dover vs Jefferson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the most homeowners (94.4%).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Jefferson has the most affordable homes ($297k 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 | Washington | Dover | Jefferson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,208 |
33,364Highest |
1,013Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.1% NH: +4.6% |
+9.2%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-5.8%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55±4.7 27% above NH |
36.9±1.9Lowest 15% below NH |
58±3.5Highest 34% above NH |
| Jefferson and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.8%±4.9 NH: 18.2% |
16.9%±1.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
12.5%±2.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Dover and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 29%±3 NH: 20.1% |
16.8%±1.8Lowest NH: 20.1% |
33.7%±9.1Highest NH: 20.1% |
| Jefferson and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32% NH: 40.6% |
52%Highest NH: 40.6% |
28.4%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.5 NH: 6% |
6.2%±1.2Highest NH: 6% |
2.2%±1.5Lowest NH: 6% |
| Dover and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $89,453±$12k 10% below NH |
$94,829±$7kHighest 4% below NH |
$67,188±$13kLowest 32% below NH |
| Dover and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $358,600±$32k 11% below NH |
$436,700±$20kHighest 8% above NH |
$296,700±$92kLowest 26% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,106±$160 26% below NH |
$1,607±$100Highest 8% above NH |
$867±$156Lowest 42% below NH |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,321 35% below NH |
$8,249Highest 24% above NH |
$4,196Lowest 37% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±88.9Lowest NH: 48.2% |
48.6%±6.3Highest NH: 48.2% |
16.7%±71.2 NH: 48.2% |
| Dover and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
8.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
8.7%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
52.7%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
90.5% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 4 yrs newer than NH |
1976Lowest 3 yrs older than NH |
1988Highest 9 yrs newer than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 33% above NH |
23 minLowest 15% below NH |
35 min 29% above NH |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.3Lowest NH: 16.8% |
18.6%±2.5Highest NH: 16.8% |
17.5%±6.3 NH: 16.8% |
| Dover and Jefferson 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 | — | #64 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Washington School District | Dover School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Dover Senior High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 20 photos → |
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.