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

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- 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)