Compare towns

Windham vs Norwich vs Canaan

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.4%).
Norwich has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Canaan has the most affordable homes ($254k 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.

MeasureWindhamNorwichCanaan
People
Population
16,038Highest
3,640Lowest
3,811
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.1±2.9
6% above U.S.
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% above U.S.
44.4±3.7Highest
14% above U.S.
Canaan and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
27.4%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
14.7%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Windham and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
16%±3.4
U.S.: 17.2%
19.1%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Canaan and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
62.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
81%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
7%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Canaan and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$189,583±$19kHighest
135% above U.S.
$140,313±$12k
74% above U.S.
$81,583±$6kLowest
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$723,300±$50kHighest
117% above U.S.
$637,500±$76k
92% above U.S.
$254,000±$26kLowest
24% below U.S.
Windham and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$3,218±$350Highest
128% above U.S.
$1,460±$322
3% above U.S.
$1,140±$90Lowest
19% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$5,985Lowest
92% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.2%±50.9
U.S.: 51.1%
30.7%±19.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
74.4%±25.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Canaan and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
13.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
77.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1996Highest
16 yrs newer than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
19 minLowest
28% below U.S.
30 min
14% above U.S.
Work from home
21.9%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±5.3
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Windham and Norwich 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 #13 of 120 in NH #1 of 70 in VT #83 of 120 in NH
School district Windham School District Norwich School District Mascoma Valley Regional School District
High school in town Windham High School None in town Mascoma Valley Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
—
10.3Lowest
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.