Best counties to raise a family in New Hampshire
Best counties to raise a family in New Hampshire
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in New Hampshire using 2025 data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you'll find one that suits your brood.
#10. Coos County
- Niche grades: good for families (C-), public schools (C-), cost of living (B), weather (D), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 31,386
- Median household income: $58,439
- Median home value: $169,600
- Top places to live: Gorham (B), Berlin (C), Randolph (A-)
#9. Sullivan County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 43,529
- Median household income: $75,929
- Median home value: $236,300
- Top places to live: Cornish (B), Newport (C+), Charlestown (C+)
#8. Belknap County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 64,300
- Median household income: $87,983
- Median home value: $340,000
- Top places to live: Gilford (A), Tilton (B), Sanbornton (B-)
#7. Cheshire County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 76,945
- Median household income: $81,001
- Median home value: $257,200
- Top places to live: Keene (B+), Rindge (B), Jaffrey (B)
#6. Carroll County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 51,259
- Median household income: $82,961
- Median home value: $348,900
- Top places to live: North Conway (B), Conway (B), Madison (B)
#5. Strafford County
- Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (C+), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 131,743
- Median household income: $86,564
- Median home value: $332,400
- Top places to live: Durham (A), Madbury (A), Lee (A-)
#4. Merrimack County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (C), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 155,018
- Median household income: $93,944
- Median home value: $330,600
- Top places to live: Bow (A), Hopkinton (A), South Hooksett (A-)
#3. Hillsborough County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 424,732
- Median household income: $100,436
- Median home value: $385,500
- Top places to live: Bedford (A), Amherst (A), Brookline (A)
#2. Grafton County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 91,759
- Median household income: $84,021
- Median home value: $298,500
- Top places to live: Hanover (A+), Plymouth (A), Lebanon (A)
#1. Rockingham County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B+), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 317,163
- Median household income: $113,927
- Median home value: $461,400
- Top places to live: Windham (A), Portsmouth (A), Newfields (A)
