Merrimack
New Hampshire

What stands out

Against every county in America, Merrimack County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.16%), the median household income is in the top 7% of American counties ($88,806), and the median home price is in the top 7% of American counties ($492K). Within New Hampshire it ranks 4th of 10 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. 153,918 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +884).

New Hampshire has no income tax on wages and no sales tax, and its interest-and-dividends tax was repealed at the start of 2025. It pays for that with the highest property taxes in the country relative to income, set town by town. The southern tier commutes to Boston; the North Country is a different economy. The state does not tax Social Security or pensions.

Money

The typical household here brings in $88,806 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $68,857. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 90% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $492K, pricier than 93% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,326 a month. Property tax is 2.16% of home value, roughly $6,429 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 536 active physicians in the county, about 34.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 73% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 10 points. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Hampshire law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 46°F, highs near 57 and lows near 36, colder than 87% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 74 out of 100, riskier than 74% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 264 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 breweries, 13 museums.