CountyScore

Belknap County

New Hampshire · NH

#2 in New Hampshire
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Belknap County, New Hampshire

Belknap outpaces national average

Belknap County scores 62.7 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the 75th percentile nationally, meaning it ranks better than three-quarters of U.S. counties on overall livability.

Above average for New Hampshire

Belknap ranks fourth among New Hampshire's ten counties with a 62.7 score, exceeding the state average of 58.3. This solid positioning reflects consistent performance across multiple livability dimensions.

Health care and affordability shine

The county excels in health (76.5) and housing affordability (63.6 cost score), with median home values of $340,000 and rents under $1,200 monthly. Tax burden is also reasonable at 1.44% effective rate, creating a balanced cost-of-living package.

Income growth lags behind housing

Belknap's income score of 40.8 suggests residents earn meaningfully less than national averages, with a median household income of $87,983. Economic opportunity and wage growth represent the county's primary livability challenge.

Best for retirees and health-focused families

Belknap County suits individuals prioritizing accessible health care, reasonable housing costs, and stable tax environments over maximum earning potential. It's ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking a balanced New England lifestyle without top-tier income requirements.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax61.8Cost63.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.8Risk42.6WaterComing Soon
🏛61.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Belknap County with another county →

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Woodford County
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Deep Dives

Belknap County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Belknap County

via CostByCounty

Belknap's affordability beats the nation

Renters in Belknap County spend 16.1% of their income on housing, well below the national average of 20% and better than New Hampshire's 17.7% state rate. With a median household income of $87,983—17% above the national median—residents here have more breathing room in their budgets than most Americans.

Second-most affordable in New Hampshire

Belknap County ranks among the state's most affordable counties, with only Coos County offering lower rent-to-income ratios. At 16.1%, Belknap's ratio outperforms the state average by 1.6 percentage points, making it an attractive option for renters seeking stability.

Competitive with Carroll County neighbors

Belknap and Carroll County share similar rents around $1,180/month, but Belknap residents earn $5,000 more annually, improving their overall affordability picture. Grafton County to the north commands higher rents ($1,292/month) while offering comparable incomes, making Belknap the better rental value.

Rent and mortgage costs compared

Renters spend $1,184/month while homeowners pay $1,524/month for mortgages—a $340 difference. With median income at $87,983, housing consumes roughly 16% of household earnings, leaving most families with substantial income for other expenses.

Consider Belknap for balanced living

If you're comparing New Hampshire counties, Belknap offers solid income levels and reasonable housing costs that work well for renters and modest homebuyers. The county's affordability advantage disappears at higher price points—Carroll and Grafton offer better value for budget-conscious relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Belknap County

via HealthByCounty

Belknap trails national life expectancy

Residents of Belknap County live an average of 77.4 years, roughly 1.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years. About 14.6% of the county reports fair or poor health, slightly above the national rate of 12%, signaling room for improvement in preventive care and chronic disease management.

Below average for New Hampshire

Belknap County's 77.4-year life expectancy ranks below New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's health outcomes. This gap suggests residents face health challenges that outpace the statewide norm.

Lagging nearby healthier counties

Belknap's life expectancy falls well behind neighboring Grafton County (80.1 years) and Merrimack County (79.0 years), though it matches Cheshire County and Hillsborough County at 78.6 years. The 2.7-year gap with Grafton County reflects significant disparities within the region.

Moderate healthcare access gaps

Belknap County's uninsured rate stands at 6.9%, just above the state average of 6.7%, affecting roughly 7 in every 100 residents. The county has 48 primary care providers per 100,000 people—well below the state median—but mental health support is robust at 541 providers per 100K.

Get covered today

If you're among the 6.9% of uninsured Belknap residents, exploring your options can improve health outcomes and lower out-of-pocket costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to find plans and subsidies tailored to your income.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Belknap County

via RiskByCounty

Belknap: Well Below National Risk

Belknap County scores 57.38 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and well below the national average of 69.89. This means residents face lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to most American counties.

Safest County in New Hampshire

Among New Hampshire's eight counties, Belknap ranks safest with the lowest composite risk score of 57.38. Its 12-point advantage below the state average of 69.89 reflects more favorable natural disaster exposure across all hazard types.

Safer Than All Surrounding Counties

Belknap's risk profile stands notably safer than neighboring Carroll (70.96) and Merrimack (78.21) counties. Even compared to nearby Cheshire County (60.50), Belknap maintains one of the state's lowest overall risk signatures.

Watch for Hurricanes and Floods

Hurricane risk tops Belknap's hazard profile at 78.39, followed by flood risk at 70.32—both driven by the county's proximity to the Atlantic coast and major watersheds. Earthquake risk of 59.80 remains moderate, while tornado and wildfire threats are relatively contained.

Prioritize Hurricane and Flood Insurance

Belknap residents should secure robust homeowners insurance covering hurricane and flood damage, as these remain the county's dominant natural disaster threats. Even in lower-risk counties, 1 in 5 properties experience costly water damage over 30 years.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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