Strafford
New Hampshire

What stands out

Against every county in America, Strafford County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.16%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 5% of American counties ($1,484 a month), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5.3%). Within New Hampshire it ranks 3rd of 10 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Strafford County, New Hampshire. 130,965 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +787).

New Hampshire has no income tax on wages and no sales tax, and its interest-and-dividends tax was repealed at the start of 2025.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 $83,212 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,687. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 89% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $510K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,484 a month. Property tax is 2.16% of home value, roughly $6,487 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 80% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 23 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.7 years, longer than 71% of American counties. There are 263 active physicians in the county, about 20.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 5.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 71% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 15 points. 71% 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 47°F, highs near 57 and lows near 37, colder than 85% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 63 out of 100, riskier than 63% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 289 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 6 museums.