What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).

Madison has the most kids (23.1% 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Washington	Madison
People
Population	1,208Lowest	2,680Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+6.1%Highest NH: +4.6%	+2.5%Lowest NH: +4.6%
Median age	55±4.7Highest 27% above NH	50.3±9.7Lowest 16% above NH
	Washington and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.8%±4.9Lowest NH: 18.2%	23.1%±6.7Highest NH: 18.2%
	Madison and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	29%±3Highest NH: 20.1%	23.1%±5.2Lowest NH: 20.1%
	Washington and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	32%Lowest NH: 40.6%	37.9%Highest NH: 40.6%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.6%±2.5Highest NH: 6%	1.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6%
	Washington and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$89,453±$12kLowest 10% below NH	$102,697±$11kHighest 4% above NH
	Madison 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±$32kLowest 11% below NH	$388,700±$36kHighest 3% below NH
	Madison and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,106±$160Lowest 26% below NH	$1,556±$256Highest 4% above NH
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,321Highest 35% below NH	$4,074Lowest 39% below NH
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	0%±88.9Lowest NH: 48.2%	69.2%±46Highest NH: 48.2%
	Madison and Washington 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%	4.7%Lowest NH: 7.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	94.4% NH: 72.8%	94.4% NH: 72.8%
Typical home builtmedian year	1983Highest 4 yrs newer than NH	1982Lowest 3 yrs newer than NH
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	36 minHighest 33% above NH	22 minLowest 17% below NH
Work from home	14.9%±5.3Highest NH: 16.8%	8%±4.4Lowest NH: 16.8%
	Washington and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Washington School District	Madison School District
High school in town	None in town	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story	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.