Compare towns

Wilder vs Portsmouth vs White River Junction

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Portsmouth has the most expensive homes ($689k median).
White River Junction has the most kids (17.1% 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.

MeasureWilderPortsmouthWhite River Junction
People
Population
3,087Lowest
22,545Highest
3,364
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+81.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.5±8.9Highest
17% above U.S.
42.9±2
10% above U.S.
33.7±3.2Lowest
13% below U.S.
Wilder and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.8%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
14%±1.9
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
White River Junction and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.3%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±2.4
U.S.: 17.2%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Wilder and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
60.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
64%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
38.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.1%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Wilder and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$75,143±$9kLowest
7% below U.S.
$106,219±$7kHighest
32% above U.S.
$77,168±$4k
4% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,200±$18kLowest
18% below U.S.
$688,500±$39kHighest
107% above U.S.
$278,800±$78k
16% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,142±$451Lowest
19% below U.S.
$1,869±$111Highest
32% above U.S.
$1,222±$216
14% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,505Lowest
76% above U.S.
$8,018Highest
157% above U.S.
$5,651
81% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
39.9%±17.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
50.4%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±17.3
U.S.: 51.1%
Portsmouth and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
51.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
43.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1959Lowest
21 yrs older than U.S.
1963
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 min
37% below U.S.
22 minHighest
16% below U.S.
15 minLowest
42% below U.S.
Work from home
12.6%±6.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.9%±4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.7%±5.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Portsmouth and White River Junction 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 — #11 of 120 in NH —
School district — Portsmouth School District —
High school in town — Portsmouth High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.4
—
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.