countyscore
41.2
County Score
Health 56.9Schools 56.8Lawn Care 50.8

County Report Card

About Coos County, New Hampshire

Coos Faces National Livability Gaps

Coos County earns a composite score of 41.2, which is significantly below the national median of 50.0. This indicates lower overall scores across the key metrics of the index.

Sixth Place in the Granite State

Coos ranks 6th out of the 8 New Hampshire counties analyzed. It falls nearly two points behind the statewide average composite score of 43.1.

Affordable Living and Decent Schools

The county's greatest asset is affordability, with a cost score of 44.5 and median rent of just $843. It also maintains a respectable school score of 56.8 and health score of 56.9.

High Taxes and Low Incomes

Coos struggles with a tax score of 2.6 and an income score of 34.1. The effective tax rate of 2.070% is heavy given the lower median household income of $58,439.

A Fit for Budget-Minded Households

This county is best for those seeking the lowest housing costs in the state. It suits people who prioritize low rent and home prices over high-wage job markets.

Score breakdown

Tax2.6Cost44.5Safety45.6Health56.9Schools56.8Income34.1Risk27.2Water49.9Weather49.6
🏛2.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠44.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡45.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓56.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡27.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧49.9
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱50.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Counties with similar scores

District of Columbia
District of Columbia
Median income: $106,287
41.2
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $92,266
41.2
Chautauqua County
New York
Median income: $56,507
41.2
Washington County
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Median income: $104,434
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Greene County
Arkansas
Median income: $56,793
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Brevard County
Florida
Median income: $75,817
41.3
St. Clair County
Illinois
Median income: $70,178
41.3
Allen County
Indiana
Median income: $68,839
41.3

Nearby counties

Essex County
Vermont
55.7
Oxford County
Maine
45.3
Caledonia County
Vermont
41.9
Orleans County
Vermont
43
Franklin County
Maine
54.8
Carroll County
New Hampshire
49
Grafton County
New Hampshire
44.5
Lamoille County
Vermont
47.7

Deep Dives

Coos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Coos County

via TaxByCounty

Coos punches above its weight regionally

Coos County's effective tax rate of 2.070% ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, more than double the national median of 0.81%. The median tax bill of $3,511 exceeds the national median by 31%, despite lower home values.

Second-highest rate among New Hampshire counties

Coos County ranks second in effective tax rate statewide at 2.070%, trailing only Cheshire County's 2.320% and above the state average of 1.852%. Its median tax of $3,511 is the state's lowest, reflecting the county's significantly lower home values.

North Country's most expensive taxes

Coos County's 2.070% rate exceeds Carroll County's 1.056% dramatically, making it the region's highest. Grafton County to the west rates lower at 1.884%, positioning Coos as the North Country's tax leader.

On a $170,000 home: about $3,500

The typical Coos County home valued at $169,600 generates an estimated annual tax of $3,511. With a mortgage, that rises to $3,626; without one, it drops to $3,397.

Assessment challenges could ease burden

Coos County residents facing elevated tax rates relative to home values should consider formal assessment appeals with local assessors. Even modest downward adjustments can provide meaningful relief given the county's aggressive rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Coos County

via CostByCounty

Coos County offers exceptional housing value

Coos County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio and $843/month median rent represent some of the lowest housing costs in New England. However, the median income of $58,439 is significantly below the national median of $74,755, reflecting limited local earning opportunities that offset the affordable housing.

New Hampshire's most affordable county

Coos County ranks as the state's most affordable by rent-to-income ratio at 17.3%, and its median rent ($843/month) undercuts every other New Hampshire county by 30% or more. This affordability comes with a trade-off: median incomes are 20% below the state average.

Dramatically cheaper than Grafton to the south

Coos County's $843/month rent runs 35% below Grafton County's $1,292/month, and home values ($169,600 median) are half Grafton's $298,500. The income gap is telling: Grafton residents earn 44% more, suggesting different job markets and economic structures between the counties.

Budget housing, constrained income picture

Renters pay just $843/month and homeowners $946/month, among the lowest absolute costs in the state, but median income of $58,439 limits household purchasing power. Housing consumes a reasonable 17.3% of income, but lower overall earnings mean less discretionary spending for other priorities.

Coos rewards remote workers and retirees

Coos County is unbeatable for affordability if you bring income from elsewhere—remote workers and retirees find exceptional value here. If you depend on local employment, explore the income constraints carefully; Grafton or Belknap counties offer better-paying job markets alongside moderate housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Coos County

via IncomeByCounty

Coos lags far behind national income

Coos County's median household income of $58,439 falls $16,316 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This 22% gap indicates economic challenges and limited earning opportunity compared to the broader U.S.

Lowest income among New Hampshire counties

Coos ranks last among New Hampshire's ten counties with a median household income of $58,439, nearly $28,000 below the state average of $86,521. The per capita income of $36,850 is also the state's lowest, signaling concentrated economic distress.

Significant income gap with Grafton and Belknap

Coos households earn $25,582 less than Belknap County ($87,983) and $25,582 less than Grafton County ($84,021). The gap reflects limited industrial diversity and fewer high-wage employment sectors in the region.

Housing costs climb to 17% of income

Though the rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% appears manageable, Coos's low median income of $58,439 means households struggle with other essentials like food, healthcare, and transportation. The median home value of $169,600 is the state's lowest, reflecting limited property values.

Priority: build emergency savings first

For Coos County residents, wealth building begins with establishing 3–6 months of emergency savings before investing. Community resources, vocational training programs, and side-income opportunities should be explored to increase household earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Coos County

via CrimeByCounty

Rural Coos County Offers High Safety

Coos County earns a high 98.1 safety score, reflecting its status as a very secure rural area. Its crime rate of 1218.6 per 100K is nearly 50% lower than the national average.

Coos County Exceeds State Safety Scores

Coos performs slightly better than the state average safety score of 98.0. Its total crime rate of 1218.6 also beats the New Hampshire average of 1242.4 per 100K.

Safety Consistency in Northern New Hampshire

The county shares a nearly identical safety profile with Grafton County, which has a crime rate of 1216.5. Both counties represent some of the most consistent safety metrics in the region.

Violent Crime Is Rare in Coos

Property crimes occur at a rate of 1100.9 per 100K, while violent crime is remarkably low at 117.7. In practical terms, these numbers suggest a community where serious safety incidents are infrequent.

Securing Property in Rural Settings

Because property crime is the primary concern, residents should focus on securing sheds and vehicles. High-quality locks and clear lines of sight around homes go a long way in this setting.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Coos County

via HealthByCounty

Coos faces serious health crisis

Coos County residents face a life expectancy of just 73.9 years, 4.9 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years—a stark difference that reflects deep health disparities. The county's 16.7% fair or poor health rate is the highest across all eight counties and significantly exceeds the national average of 12%.

New Hampshire's healthiest outlier

Coos County's 73.9-year life expectancy is 4.4 years below New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, making it a critical outlier within the state. The gap signals urgent public health challenges including substance abuse, economic hardship, and limited healthcare access that require immediate intervention.

Significantly worse than all peers

Coos County trails every other county examined, with a life expectancy 5.5 years below the next-lowest (Belknap at 77.4) and 6.2 years behind the state median. This profound gap underscores Coos as facing the most severe health crisis in New Hampshire.

Limited providers, growing needs

Coos County's uninsured rate of 7.7% exceeds the state average of 6.7%, leaving many without coverage for preventive care. Despite higher primary care density at 112 providers per 100K, mental health support severely lags at 239 providers per 100K—a critical gap given the region's opioid epidemic and economic distress.

Coos County: get help now

Residents of Coos County must prioritize health insurance enrollment and substance abuse resources to address the county's acute health crisis. Contact 211 New Hampshire or visit healthcare.gov immediately to access affordable coverage, mental health services, and addiction support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Coos County

via SchoolsByCounty

Coos County's Rural School Network

Coos County supports 3,403 students through a network of 22 public schools. The infrastructure is managed by 12 districts and consists primarily of 13 elementary and 6 high schools. This decentralized model serves a large geographic area with a focus on local community access.

Graduation Trends and Resource Allocation

The county reports an 83.7% graduation rate, trailing the state average of 87.2%. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $12,064, which is slightly below the state average but near the national median. A school score of 61.1 indicates that while challenges exist, the county remains above the national median score of 50.0.

Berlin Leads as the Largest Local District

The Berlin School District is the county's primary educational provider, serving 1,010 students in 3 schools. Most other districts are much smaller, such as the Northumberland School District which serves 322 students. Only one charter school currently operates in the county, representing about 4.5% of total schools.

The State's Most Intimate Learning Environments

With an average school size of only 155 students, Coos County offers the most intimate public education in the state. Eighteen of the 22 schools are located in rural areas, fostering a close-knit, community-centric atmosphere. Berlin Elementary is the largest school in the county, yet it still enrolls fewer than 430 students.

Find a Home in a Close-Knit Community

Families who value small class sizes and personal attention will find Coos County's schools highly appealing. Home buyers can find excellent value in towns like Berlin and Gorham while benefiting from a very low student-to-teacher ratio. Explore the North Country for a unique and dedicated educational setting.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Coos County

via RiskByCounty

Coos County Slightly Above National Average

Coos County scores 72.77, just 2.88 points above the national average of 69.89, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category. This northern county experiences natural disaster exposure comparable to many U.S. regions.

Mid-Tier Risk Among New Hampshire

Coos County ranks fifth among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 72.77, slightly above the state average of 69.89. Its position reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards, primarily driven by flood and hurricane risks.

Safer Than Grafton, Higher Than Belknap

Coos County (72.77) sits between neighboring Grafton County's elevated 81.77 and Belknap's lowest 57.38. Its flood risk of 77.64 exceeds most neighbors except Grafton, while its very low tornado risk of 10.62 reflects its northern inland location.

Floods and Hurricanes Dominate Risk Profile

Coos County faces significant flood risk at 77.64 and hurricane risk at 77.05, driven by its proximity to coastal influences and major river valleys. Notably, tornado risk of just 10.62 is the state's lowest, providing protection against severe storms.

Prioritize Flood and Hurricane Insurance

Coos County residents should maintain comprehensive flood insurance and hurricane-resistant homeowners coverage given flood and hurricane scores of 77.64 and 77.05. The county's very low tornado risk means standard wind coverage is typically sufficient.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Coos County

via WeatherByCounty

The Coldest Reach of the State

Coos County is one of the coldest spots in the country with an annual average of only 40.0°F. This is more than 13 degrees below the national median, marking a truly boreal climate.

New Hampshire's Ice Box

Coos is the coldest county in the state, trailing the New Hampshire average by a wide 5.4-degree margin. Its extreme northern location creates a climate distinct from the rest of the region.

Leading the Region in Snowfall

With 118.8 inches of annual snow, Coos far exceeds the 83.5 inches seen in neighboring Carroll County. It is the snowiest and coldest part of the entire state.

Severe Winters and Rare Heat

Winter is the dominant season here, with average temperatures dipping to 16.7°F. Extreme heat is nearly non-existent, as the county averages only 2 days per year over 90°F.

Maximum Winter Readiness Required

Residents must prioritize heavy-duty heating and professional-grade snow equipment for the 118.8-inch annual snowfall. Summer gear is rarely stressed, as July averages stay cool at 64.3°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Coos County

via SoilByCounty

The Rugged North Country Profile

Coos County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in current soil surveys. However, the region's vast forests typically indicate a very acidic profile compared to the 6.5 national median. This acidity is perfectly suited for the sprawling spruce and fir forests of the north.

A Complex Glacial Mosaic

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not available for this northernmost county. The soil is largely shaped by glacial till, which often creates a mix of boulders and fine silt. Growers should expect variable textures that change rapidly across the landscape.

Abundant Natural Organic Potential

No specific organic matter or water capacity data is recorded for the county. Despite the lack of numbers, the heavy forest cover suggests a naturally high accumulation of organic debris. This creates a rich, though unquantified, layer of topsoil for northern agriculture.

Water Movement in the Great North

Drainage classifications remain unmapped for Coos County in this dataset. Given the mountainous terrain, drainage varies from excessively drained peaks to saturated wetlands in the valleys. Careful site evaluation is necessary for any building or farming project.

Hardy Crops for Zone 4b

As the coldest part of the state, Zone 4b requires plants that can survive deep freezes. Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes thrive in these cooler temperatures and long summer days. Get started with cold-frame gardening to extend your short but intense growing window.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Coos County

via LawnByCounty

Coos County Surpasses State Lawn Averages

Coos County holds a lawn difficulty score of 50.8, making it slightly easier to manage turf here than the national median. This score is significantly better than the New Hampshire state average of 47.9, showing that northern lawns can thrive despite the Zone 4b winters. While the season is short, the conditions are surprisingly favorable for consistent grass growth.

Cool Summers and a Short Growing Window

This county enjoys 47.9 inches of annual rain and only 2 extreme heat days, which is excellent for preventing grass wilt. However, the growing season is the shortest in the state, with the last frost on May 23 and the first frost on September 29. With only 1,542 growing degree days, mowing will be less frequent than in southern regions.

Preparing Northern Soil for Success

Specific local soil data is currently unavailable, but the region's climate often produces organic-rich but potentially thin soils. Homeowners should focus on aerating in the spring to combat any compaction from heavy snow loads. A soil test will help determine if you need to add nutrients to make the most of the limited growing weeks.

Resilience During Northern Dry Spells

The county has experienced 31 weeks in drought over the past year, with 41.6% of the area currently seeing severe conditions. Fortunately, the lack of extreme heat means lawns lose less water to evaporation than those in southern New Hampshire. Maintaining a higher mowing height during the summer months will help the grass survive these dry periods by protecting the soil surface.

Cold-Hardy Grass for a Short Season

Kentucky Bluegrass is the gold standard for Zone 4b because it handles the deep winter freezes of the North Country exceptionally well. You should aim to seed by early August to ensure the grass is well-established before the September 29 frost date. Despite the short summer, your county's favorable score indicates your lawn will reward your efforts.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coos County's county score?
Coos County, New Hampshire has a composite county score of 41.2 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 Coos County rank among counties in New Hampshire?
Coos County ranks #7 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 Coos County, New Hampshire?
The median annual property tax in Coos County is $3,511, with an effective tax rate of 2.07%. This earns Coos County a tax score of 2.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Coos County?
The median household income in Coos County, New Hampshire is $58,439 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Coos County earns an income score of 34.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Coos County, New Hampshire a good place to live?
Coos County scores 41.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in New Hampshire. The best way to evaluate Coos 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 Coos County with other counties side by side.

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