Compare towns
Wilder vs White River Junction vs Chester
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%).
White River Junction has the most renters (56.1% rent).
Chester has the most expensive homes ($552k 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 | Wilder | White River Junction | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,087Lowest |
3,364 |
5,300Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9 17% above U.S. |
33.7±3.2Lowest 13% below U.S. |
47.2±3.8Highest 21% above U.S. |
| Chester and Wilder 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% |
17.1%±5 U.S.: 22% |
19.6%±3.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Chester and White River Junction 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% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.4%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 60.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
38.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
41.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Wilder and Chester 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. |
$77,168±$4k 4% below U.S. |
$142,212±$19kHighest 76% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,200±$18kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$278,800±$78k 16% below U.S. |
$552,300±$42kHighest 66% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$1,222±$216Highest 14% below U.S. |
— |
| White River Junction and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,505Lowest 76% above U.S. |
$5,651 81% above U.S. |
$8,464Highest 171% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.9%±17.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
19%±72.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| White River Junction and Wilder 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% |
12.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
43.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 17 min 37% below U.S. |
15 minLowest 42% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 33% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.7%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±5.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Chester 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 | — | — | #90 of 120 in NH |
| School district | — | — | Chester School District |
| High school in town | — | — | None in town |
| 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.