Population 6,127 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Chester: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Chester
Household size in Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.94 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.88 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.97 | 2.60 | 2.49 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Chester average 2.84 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.94, a much bigger shift than nationally. Chester has larger households than the great majority of New Hampshire cities.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.3 | 38.9 | 40.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.1 | 39.7 | 42.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.2 | 40.4 | 43.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.6 | 40.8 | 44.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.2 | +1.9 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
Chester skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.6, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.3, in line with the national trend.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.5% | 10.4% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 10.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 9.6% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 9.7% | 8.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.1% of households in Chester, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Chester
Renters in Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.6% | 36.8% | 27.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 38.5% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 38.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 38.4% | 27.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +1.6 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 3.7% of households in Chester rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly three in ten owners (28.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. No other New Hampshire city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of renters.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.5% | 8.1% | 12.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 2.4% | 7.4% | 12.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 7.3% | 12.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 6.7% | 11.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Chester: 7.1% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The Boston area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1958 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1959 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1961 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1964 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Chester is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1991, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Of the 68 New Hampshire cities with 5,000+ people, only three have newer homes.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,060 | $1,171 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,341 | $1,251 | $1,094 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,344 | $1,537 | $1,224 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,677 | $2,051 | $1,597 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$617 | +$881 | +$580 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Chester costs $1,677 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Boston area as a whole ($2,051). Rent has climbed $617 a month since 2006–10, up 58%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.4% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Chester
Bachelor's degrees in Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8% | 42.2% | 33.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.1% | 44.1% | 35.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.6% | 48.2% | 37.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.1% | 51.9% | 41.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +9.7 pts | +7.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Chester than nationally: 40.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Still, the share is lower than in the wider Boston area (51.9%). The share with a degree is up 1.3 points from 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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.7% | 89.8% | 91.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.7% | 90.6% | 92.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.4% | 91.5% | 93.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.9% | 91.8% | 94.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +2.1 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Chester: 97.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Chester has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of New Hampshire cities.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Boston area | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.9% | 7.0% | 5.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 8.0% | 6.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Chester has been strong: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Chester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 2.84 | 46.6 | 6.1% | 3.7% | 7.1% | 1991 | $1,677 | 40.1% | 97.9% | 3.0% |
| Sandown | 2.82 | 42.8 | 16.2% | 15.8% | 3.6% | 1990 | $1,887 | 35.9% | 96.3% | 3.6% |
| Raymond | 2.57 | 45.6 | 5.2% | 14.9% | 5.7% | 1983 | $1,491 | 27.3% | 93.8% | 3.6% |
| Auburn | 3.05 | 44.1 | 8.8% | 5.0% | 7.5% | 1985 | $1,823 | 54.6% | 94.5% | 1.2% |
| Candia Four Corners | 3.01 | 41.1 | 14.1% | 21.9% | 0.7% | 1957 | $1,213 | 27.6% | 87.7% | 5.3% |
| Candia | 2.88 | 47.6 | 6.6% | 7.0% | 1.8% | 1977 | $1,276 | 30.9% | 92.4% | 5.0% |
| Fremont | 2.70 | 44.6 | 12.9% | 9.5% | 7.4% | 1990 | $2,566 | 32.4% | 92.0% | 1.4% |
| Derry | 2.71 | 40.6 | 11.7% | 30.2% | 9.7% | 1982 | $1,715 | 37.3% | 94.0% | 3.4% |
| Hampstead | 2.57 | 48.7 | 6.8% | 15.6% | 6.5% | 1982 | $1,467 | 42.7% | 97.1% | 6.9% |
| West Epping | 2.43 | 43.4 | 6.5% | 13.4% | 6.4% | 1998 | $1,762 | 30.8% | 94.3% | 3.8% |
| Danville | 2.54 | 44.3 | 12.9% | 5.8% | 5.0% | 1990 | $2,023 | 37.6% | 95.4% | 1.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Humboldt, IA · Homeland Park, SC · Homer City, PA · Hortonville, WI · Houghton Lake, MI · Houston, MS · Houston, PA · Howe, TX · Hubertus, WI · Hughesville, MD
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 Chester. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.