Center Harbor offers a peaceful getaway for visitors, residents alike

I’ve always had a special fondness for Center Harbor. It brings back happy memories of my sister and I rowing a boat while vacationing with my parents along Center Harbor Bay as a child. 

Today, Center Harbor has maintained its country charm and character…It is like going back in time to an era of rapid growth throughout the region. The town gets its name from two sources: From its location, centered between Meredith and Moultonborough, and also from the Senter family, who were owners of a large number of properties in the area. 

Center Harbor was incorporated in 1797 and started as a small farming community. In the 1800s, the town became a landing place for lake steamers and stagecoaches, making it a popular summer resort. The quaint village was endowed with the advantage of natural resources — with extensive shoreline along Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, Lake Waukewan, and Lake Winona. Historically, the town was a favorite spot of John Greenleaf Whittier and the home of Dudley Leavitt, author and publisher of the first Farmers’ Almanac in 1797. The first intercollegiate sporting event in the U.S. was hosted in Center Harbor on Lake Winnipesaukee, between Harvard and Yale during the first rowing regatta in 1852. 

The community has grown slowly and methodically from 263 residents in 1800 to its picturesque small-town size of only 1,060 residents today, representing only 78.6 persons per square mile of land area. 

The town comprises 13.3 square miles of land area and 2.9 square miles of inland water area. There are over 25 miles of shoreline on three of New Hampshire’s major lakes, and over 25% of the land area is covered by surface water and wetlands. There are 70 active agricultural areas and 6,700 acres of farmland soils of statewide importance. Additionally, there are over 900 acres of prime wildlife habitat and 31 miles of rivers and streams. 

It’s interesting to note that there are over 2,623 acres of forest land, roughly 78% of Center Harbor’s total land area, and 1,053 acres of protected lands.

Center Harbor is surrounded by the foothills of the White Mountains, near the Ossipee Mountains, and the Belknap Mountains. Within the town, you can hike scenic Red Hill and Fogg Hill, which offer scenic views from the fire tower. 

The Fogg Hill conservation area includes 235 acres with three marked trails along Bear Pond. Rattlesnake Mountain, Mt. Morgan, and Mt. Perciual are several great hikes just up the road in neighboring towns. 

The median age in Center Harbor is 60.4 years. The property tax rate was 10.69% per thousand in 2024. There are approximately 740 housing units, of which 714 are single-family units; 44.3% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, with the median family income being $121,875; and the per capita income at $52,507. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. 

Elementary age students (K-6) attend the Inter-Lakes Elementary school. Middle and high school students attend the Inter-Lakes Middle/High School in Meredith. 

Center Harbor is the kind of sought-after community that acts as a peaceful getaway for vacationers, second homeowners, and primary

residents. The church bells from the local church, the quaint library, and the gazebo overlooking the bay provide a nostalgic setting. A true New England setting with its white clapboarded buildings and picket fences frames the supermarket, local restaurants, and shops.

Residents have private access to their own sandy beach, playground, and town docks on the shores of glacial Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake. The north side of town leads to beautiful vistas along the shoreline of Squam Lake, New Hampshire’s second largest lake. The town has a multitude of farmhouses, colonials, and antique houses with open fields and woodlands. There are many Adirondack waterfront homes as well as contemporary-inspired craftsman designs, dotting the lakeside with breathtaking mountain views.

Along Whittier Highway, you will find a good selection of diners, fine restaurants, taverns, and shops to explore. Gusto Italian Café is a local favorite with an Italian Tuscan vibe. Canoe Restaurant and Tavern is another lakeside favorite in a rustic boathouse-inspired setting. Lemongrass Restaurant and Sake Bar serves Thai cuisine, and the Center Harbor Diner is the local spot for classic American breakfast food. Rubbin’ Butts BBQ, The Mug Restaurant, the Taphouse, convenience stores, and EM Heath Supermarket offer all kinds of popular foods and spirits.

The Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest offers trails and scenic coves along Squam Lake and to the north; the Proctor Wildlife Sanctuary includes a two-mile loop that follows a brook. Center Harbor Woods and Belknap Woods are scenic, natural, recreational areas with trails and wildlife habitat. The annual Fourth of July celebration ends with a concert at the gazebo and fireworks over the bay. 

The MS Mount Washington, flagship vessel, maintains its winter home port in Center Harbor Bay. The Waukewan Golf Club is a popular 18-hole course in town. Tom Drouin of Roche Realty Group sold this course back in 2014, and the 5,828-yard course on 271 acres has a great reputation.

So, how is the real estate market in Center Harbor performing?

The real estate market is diverse, with homes ranging from charming historic properties to camps and luxury waterfront estates.

In the first nine months of 2025 Alton saw

• 5 single-family home sales with a median 39 days on the market, median sales price of $875,000; average sales price of $820,500; lowest  sales price of $662,500, highest  sales price of $925,000. 

• 1 condominium sale at $600,000 at Waukewan Golf Club — Eagle Ridge Road which had 12 days on market. 

In the first nine months of 2024 Alton saw 16 single-family home sales; 13 median days on market; median sales price of $875,000; average sales price of $1.18 million; lowest sale price of $399,000 and highest sale price of $4.75 million (a waterfront sale on Squam Lake).

At present, there are only four single-family homes for sale, the median listing price is $845,000, the lowest listed price is $595,000, and the highest price is $7.99 million (for a waterfront listing on Lake Winnipesaukee).

In summary, you can see why Center Harbor is such a picturesque, desirable community to live in. The current real estate market certainly reflects a market with a limited number of listings for sale and fewer houses sold in 2025 year to date because of the lack of available inventory. It’s a great time to sell your property this fall with Roche Realty Group during our colorful season. 

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This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.