Compare towns
White River Junction vs Meredith vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Meredith has the oldest population (median age 55.5).
Dorset has the most kids (24% 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 | White River Junction | Meredith | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,364 |
6,758Highest |
2,092Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 33.7±3.2Lowest 13% below U.S. |
55.5±3.7Highest 43% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
| Meredith and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.1%±5 U.S.: 22% |
12.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.5%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.2%±5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Meredith and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,168±$4kLowest 4% below U.S. |
$87,019±$19k 8% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $278,800±$78kLowest 16% below U.S. |
$480,100±$48k 44% above U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,222±$216 14% below U.S. |
$1,149±$304Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
| Dorset and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,651 81% above U.S. |
$5,006Lowest 61% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±17.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.5%±9.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 15 minLowest 42% below U.S. |
26 minHighest about the U.S. average |
22 min 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.7%±5.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.7%±4.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Meredith 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 | — | #62 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | — | Inter-Lakes Cooperative School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| High school in town | — | Inter-Lakes High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.