Population 8,215 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Atkinson
Household size in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.57 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.60 | 2.49 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Atkinson run a little small, averaging 2.49 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of the Boston area. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.57, mirroring the country.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.1 | 38.9 | 40.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.9 | 39.7 | 42.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.2 | 40.4 | 43.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 52.9 | 40.8 | 44.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.8 | +1.9 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
Atkinson skews older: half of its residents are older than 52.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 47.1 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only five of the 68 New Hampshire cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.3% | 10.4% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 10.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 9.6% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 9.7% | 8.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Atkinson: 5.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 4.0 points, even as the national share fell. Atkinson has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of New Hampshire cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Atkinson
Renters in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 36.8% | 27.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 38.5% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 38.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 38.4% | 27.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | +1.6 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 9.3% of households in Atkinson rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over a third of owners (34.7%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 8.1% | 12.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 12.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 7.3% | 12.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 6.7% | 11.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.6% of homes in Atkinson are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 1.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1958 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1959 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1961 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1964 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Atkinson was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in the wider Boston area, where the median home dates to 1964.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,204 | $1,171 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,230 | $1,251 | $1,094 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,731 | $1,537 | $1,224 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,195 | $2,051 | $1,597 | $1,571 |
| Change | −$10 | +$881 | +$580 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Atkinson costs $1,195 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 35.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Atkinson has lower rents than at least four in five New Hampshire cities.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Atkinson
Bachelor's degrees in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4% | 42.2% | 33.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.9% | 44.1% | 35.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.7% | 48.2% | 37.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 42.8% | 51.9% | 41.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Atkinson than nationally: 42.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Locally, though, the share is lower than in the wider Boston area (51.9%). The share with a degree has edged up 1.4 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.4% | 89.8% | 91.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.7% | 90.6% | 92.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.4% | 91.5% | 93.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.9% | 91.8% | 94.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +2.1 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Atkinson: 95.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged down 1.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Atkinson
| Period | Atkinson | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 7.0% | 5.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 8.0% | 6.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Atkinson is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Atkinson compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson | 2.49 | 52.9 | 5.3% | 9.3% | 4.6% | 1981 | $1,195 | 42.8% | 95.9% | 4.8% |
| Hampstead | 2.57 | 48.7 | 6.8% | 15.6% | 6.5% | 1982 | $1,467 | 42.7% | 97.1% | 6.9% |
| East Hampstead | 2.32 | 37.5 | 12.1% | 24.5% | 10.1% | 1992 | $1,261 | 40.8% | 98.1% | 1.1% |
| Plaistow | 2.58 | 40.7 | 15.6% | 22.1% | 1.7% | 1977 | $1,654 | 35.8% | 95.2% | 4.3% |
| Salem | 2.50 | 44.2 | 8.0% | 24.5% | 11.3% | 1979 | $1,792 | 39.5% | 95.8% | 2.9% |
| Haverhill | 2.59 | 40.7 | 13.9% | 37.2% | 5.8% | 1961 | $1,643 | 32.1% | 90.2% | 5.9% |
| Newton | 2.65 | 45.2 | 5.5% | 11.0% | 3.4% | 1982 | $1,657 | 39.3% | 97.9% | 3.3% |
| Danville | 2.54 | 44.3 | 12.9% | 5.8% | 5.0% | 1990 | $2,023 | 37.6% | 95.4% | 1.5% |
| Sandown | 2.82 | 42.8 | 16.2% | 15.8% | 3.6% | 1990 | $1,887 | 35.9% | 96.3% | 3.6% |
| Kingston | 2.46 | 54.3 | 7.6% | 24.7% | 6.6% | 1979 | $1,462 | 39.3% | 96.8% | 4.0% |
| Merrimac | 2.45 | 50.0 | 11.2% | 18.9% | 3.8% | 1979 | $1,788 | 40.7% | 96.0% | 1.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Pine Grove, PA · Oscoda, MI · Park Ridge, NJ · Congers, NY · Pauls Valley, OK · Pawcatuck, CT · Pelham, GA · Perry Heights, OH · Perry, IA · Orefield, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Atkinson. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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