Best Counties to Live in New Hampshire

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Best counties to live in New Hampshire

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in New Hampshire using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#8. Belknap County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 63,914
- Median household income: $80,719
- Median home value: $295,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Gilmanton Elementary School (grade B+), Gilford Elementary School (grade B+), Gilford Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: New Hampton School (grade A), Tilton School (grade A), Laconia Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Gilford (grade A), Sanbornton (grade B minus), Tilton (grade B minus)

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#7. Cheshire County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 76,610
- Median household income: $76,551
- Median home value: $238,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,139 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: John D. Perkins Academy (grade A), Nelson Elementary School (grade A), Surry Village Charter School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Dublin School (grade A+), Dublin Christian Academy (grade A minus), Immaculate Heart of Mary School (grade B+)
- Top places: Chesterfield (grade B+), Keene (grade B+), Rindge (grade B)

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#6. Carroll County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 50,679
- Median household income: $77,049
- Median home value: $315,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,138 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Moultonborough Academy High School (grade B+), Carpenter Elementary School (grade B+), Sandwich Central School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Brewster Academy (grade A), Cornerstone Christian Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Conway (grade B), North Conway (grade B minus), Madison (grade B minus)

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#5. Strafford County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 130,965
- Median household income: $83,212
- Median home value: $300,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,308 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Mast Way School (grade A), Moharimet Elementary School (grade A minus), Oyster River Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Portsmouth Christian Academy (grade A), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (grade B), Tri-City Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Madbury (grade A), Durham (grade A), Dover (grade A minus)

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#4. Merrimack County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 153,918
- Median household income: $88,806
- Median home value: $297,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,199 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: David R. Cawley Middle School (grade A minus), Bow Memorial School (grade A minus), Jennie D. Blake School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. Paul's School (grade A+), Proctor Academy (grade A+), Concord Christian Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Bow (grade A), Hopkinton (grade A minus), South Hooksett (grade A minus)

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#3. Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: 754
- Population: 422,733
- Median household income: $95,112
- Median home value: $356,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,444 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Mont Vernon Village School (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The Derryfield School (grade A), High Mowing School (grade A minus), Tabernacle Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Bedford (grade A), Amherst (grade A), Brookline (grade A)

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#2. Rockingham County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: 662
- Population: 315,169
- Median household income: $110,225
- Median home value: $424,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,518 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Maude H. Trefethen School (grade A+), South Hampton Barnard School (grade A+), New Franklin School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Phillips Exeter Academy (grade A+), Busche Academy (grade A minus), Jesse Remington High School (grade B)
- Top places: Portsmouth (grade A), Windham (grade A), Newfields (grade A)

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#1. Grafton County, New Hampshire

- Overall Rank: 529
- Population: 90,836
- Median household income: $79,949
- Median home value: $273,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,197 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Hanover High School (grade A+), Bernice A. Ray School (grade A+), Lafayette Regional School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Holderness School (grade A+), The White Mountain School (grade A+), Waterville Valley Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Hanover (grade A+), Lebanon (grade A), Plymouth (grade A minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.