countyscore

Belknap County, New Hampshire — County Report Card

NH

#10 in New Hampshire

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
39.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 91.9Health 78.5Schools 56.3

County Report Card

About Belknap County, New Hampshire

Belknap Trails the National Median

Belknap County earns a composite score of 38.3, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This score indicates that the county faces more livability hurdles than the average American county.

Eighth Among New Hampshire Counties

The county ranks 8th out of the 8 New Hampshire counties analyzed in this group. Its score of 38.3 sits nearly five points below the state average of 43.1.

Strong Incomes and Healthy Residents

The county excels in income with a score of 90.8 and health at 78.5. Residents benefit from a robust median household income of $87,983 and high-quality health outcomes.

Housing Costs and Water Concerns

Belknap struggles with housing affordability, reflected in a cost score of 12.1. A low water score of 13.5 and an effective tax rate of 1.440% present further challenges for local households.

A Haven for High-Income Professionals

This county best serves high-earning individuals who prioritize health and income over tax efficiency. It is a solid choice for those who can manage the $340,000 median home value.

2040608010018.413.925.478.556.391.942.613.554.1Tax18.4Cost13.9Safety25.4Health78.5Schools56.3Income91.9Risk42.6Water13.5Weather54.139.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Belknap County DNA

Foverall

How Belknap County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Belknap County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (91.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (13.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
18.4-33.6
Cost
13.9-34.1
Safety
25.4-29.6
Health
78.5+28.5
Schools
56.3
Income
91.9+40.900000000000006
Risk
42.6
Water
13.5-44.5
Weather
54.1
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Belknap County

Whether buying or refinancing in Belknap County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$374,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,167/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$374,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$46,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $92,783/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Belknap County with Richmond County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Richmond County
Georgia
Median income: $55,637
39.2
Wilkes County
Georgia
Median income: $52,043
39.2
Penobscot County
Maine
Median income: $66,356
39.2
Adams County
Nebraska
Median income: $68,365
39.2
Chemung County
New York
Median income: $63,716
39.2
Oneida County
New York
Median income: $70,154
39.2
Rockingham County
North Carolina
Median income: $57,053
39.2
Williamsburg County
South Carolina
Median income: $46,213
39.2

Nearby counties

Merrimack County
New Hampshire
43.8
Carroll County
New Hampshire
49.7
Strafford County
New Hampshire
40.2
Grafton County
New Hampshire
45
York County
Maine
47.2
Sullivan County
New Hampshire
43.1
Hillsborough County
New Hampshire
39.5
Rockingham County
New Hampshire
48.9

Deep Dives

Belknap County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Belknap County

via TaxByCounty

Belknap's tax rate sits above national norm

Belknap County's effective tax rate of 1.440% exceeds the national median of 0.81%, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $4,897 annually, well above the national median of $2,690.

Below state average, middle of the pack

Belknap's 1.440% rate ranks fourth-lowest among New Hampshire's 10 counties, below the state average of 1.852%. The county's median tax bill of $4,897 falls $783 below the state median of $5,680.

Carroll County taxes the lowest nearby

Carroll County to the north charges just 1.056%, the state's lowest rate, while Merrimack County to the south is significantly higher at 2.002%. Belknap's 1.440% rate positions it as a moderate option in the central region.

On a $340,000 home: nearly $4,900

The typical Belknap County home valued at $340,000 carries an estimated annual tax bill of $4,897. With a mortgage, that figure reaches $5,001; without one, $4,699.

Assessment appeals could cut your bill

Many New Hampshire homeowners are overassessed relative to market value, meaning a formal appeal to your local assessor could reduce your tax burden. Given Belknap's solid median home values, even modest assessment reductions could save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Belknap County

via IncomeByCounty

Belknap earns 18% above the nation

Belknap County's median household income of $87,983 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by nearly $13,000. This positions the county in the upper tier of American counties, reflecting strong regional earning power and economic stability.

Middle of the pack statewide

Belknap ranks fourth among New Hampshire's ten counties with a median household income of $87,983, just slightly above the state average of $86,521. While solid, neighboring counties like Rockingham and Hillsborough significantly outpace this figure.

Competitive with Carroll, ahead of Cheshire

Belknap households earn $5,000 more than Carroll County ($82,961) and $7,000 more than Cheshire County ($81,001), both nearby counties. Compared to the stronger economies in Rockingham ($113,927) and Hillsborough ($100,436), Belknap represents solid middle-income stability.

Housing costs eat 16% of income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.1%, Belknap households spend a manageable share of earnings on housing—well below the 30% threshold financial advisors recommend. The median home value of $340,000 remains accessible for households earning $87,983.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

Belknap's above-average incomes create opportunity for strategic savings and investment. With housing costs controlled, households can direct 15–20% of earnings toward retirement accounts, diversified portfolios, and long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Belknap County

via CrimeByCounty

Belknap County Stays Safer Than National Averages

Belknap County maintains a high safety score of 97.1 despite local activity. Its total crime rate of 1843.1 per 100K residents remains well below the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing Belknap to New Hampshire Standards

Within the state, Belknap shows a higher crime rate than the New Hampshire average of 1242.4 per 100K. Its safety score is also slightly below the state average of 98.0.

Local Safety Trends Near Belknap County

Belknap's crime rate of 1843.1 is significantly higher than neighboring Carroll County at 1144.4. However, it stays more secure than many urban hubs across the country.

Property Crime Drives Belknap's Statistics

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 1725.8 per 100K, while violent crime is quite low at 117.3. Residents are statistically far more likely to experience theft than personal harm.

Securing Your Home in Belknap County

Even in safe areas, property theft remains the primary concern for residents. Local police recommend using security cameras and locking all entry points to deter opportunistic crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Belknap County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Cold Continental Climate

Belknap County averages 46.7°F annually, falling significantly below the national median temperature. This humid continental climate experiences sharp seasonal swings typical of the New England interior.

Warmer Than the State Average

The county's annual average temperature of 46.7°F sits slightly higher than the New Hampshire state average of 45.4°F. It represents a transition zone between the warmer southern valleys and the cooler northern mountains.

Matching the Regional Precipitation Profile

Belknap receives 46.5 inches of annual precipitation, which is virtually identical to neighboring Cheshire County. However, it stays slightly warmer on average than Carroll County to its immediate north.

Consistent Snow and Moderate Heat

Winter brings 70.8 inches of annual snowfall and January averages of 21.1°F. Summers remain mild with a 68.6°F average, though residents still face about 7 days of extreme heat over 90°F each year.

Prepare for Ice and Humidity

Reliable heating systems are essential to handle the 24.1°F winter average. Residents should also invest in dehumidification and cooling for the July peak, when temperatures average 70.9°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Belknap County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Foundations in the Lakes Region

While specific pH data for Belknap is currently unavailable, New Hampshire soils typically skew more acidic than the 6.5 national median. The regional taxonomic profile reflects the granite-rich heritage of the state's central hills. Local gardeners should prepare to test and amend their soil for sensitive crops.

A Mystery in Mineral Makeup

Detailed percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not currently recorded for this county. Despite the lack of specific data, local landscapes often feature the rocky till common across the state. This usually results in high workability but requires careful organic additions for better structure.

Organic Potential Awaiting Discovery

Belknap lacks specific organic matter and available water capacity metrics in recent surveys. This data gap means local growers rely on historical performance rather than specific county-wide benchmarks. Adding compost is a standard practice to boost the unknown fertility of these northern soils.

Navigating Central New Hampshire Waterways

The county's dominant drainage class and hydrologic groups remain unclassified in current digital datasets. Most local sites require site-specific testing to determine if they are suitable for heavy construction or complex irrigation. Proper drainage remains essential for preventing root rot in this humid climate.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 5b

The 5b hardiness zone provides a reliable window for growing hardy vegetables and northern-adapted fruit trees. You can expect success with apples, pears, and short-season tomatoes. Start your garden journey by focusing on cold-hardy varieties that handle the late spring frosts.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Belknap County

via LawnByCounty

Belknap County's High Lawn Success Potential

Belknap County earns a lawn difficulty score of 54.9, making it notably easier to maintain turf here than the national median of 50.0. This score also outperforms the New Hampshire state average of 47.9, providing a strong foundation for local gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. Local homeowners enjoy a significant advantage over neighbors in more challenging coastal or southern counties.

Ample Rainfall Meets Moderate New England Heat

The county receives 46.5 inches of annual precipitation, which sits perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy grass. With only 7 days per year reaching 90°F and a healthy 2,438 growing degree days, lawns maintain steady growth without the stress of extreme summer scorching. The frost-free window typically opens on April 30 and closes by October 18, defining a productive mowing season.

Local Soil Data and Preparation Needs

While specific soil texture and pH data are limited for this area, New England soils generally lean toward the acidic side. Local lawn care usually requires a baseline soil test to determine if lime or phosphorus amendments are necessary for optimal nutrient uptake. Ensuring proper drainage is the first step before any major fall aeration or overseeding project.

Managing Turf During Severe Dry Spells

Belknap County has spent 39 weeks in drought over the last year, with 100% of the area currently classified under severe drought conditions. To preserve your lawn, water deeply but infrequently during the early morning hours to encourage deep root systems. Raising mower blades to three inches or higher helps shade the soil and retain critical moisture during these periods.

Starting Your Zone 5b Lawn Journey

Hardy cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue thrive in this climate when seeded in late summer or early spring. Aim to get new seed or sod established after the April 30 frost date to take advantage of the warming soil and natural spring rain. With a score well above the state average, your yard is primed for success with just a little consistent care.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Belknap County's county score?
Belknap County, New Hampshire has a composite county score of 39.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Belknap County rank among counties in New Hampshire?
Belknap County ranks #10 among all counties in New Hampshire on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Belknap County, New Hampshire?
The median annual property tax in Belknap County is $4,924, with an effective tax rate of 1.31%. This earns Belknap County a tax score of 18.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Belknap County?
The median household income in Belknap County, New Hampshire is $92,783 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Belknap County earns an income score of 91.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Belknap County, New Hampshire a good place to live?
Belknap County scores 39.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in New Hampshire. The best way to evaluate Belknap County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Belknap County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.