CountyScore

Merrimack County

New Hampshire · NH

#8 in New Hampshire
56.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Merrimack slightly exceeds national median

Merrimack County scores 56.1, 12% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally. The county performs solidly compared to typical U.S. counties without reaching elite status.

Slightly below New Hampshire average

Merrimack ranks ninth among ten New Hampshire counties, scoring 56.1 against the state average of 58.3. The county underperforms relative to most peers despite being home to New Hampshire's capital region.

Balanced income and health profile

Merrimack's income score of 44.7 reflects a median household income of $93,944, solidly above state and national averages. Health outcomes rank strong at 79.2, and risk levels are favorable at 21.8.

Tax burden and housing affordability lag

An effective tax rate of 2.002% and tax score of 46.0 burden residents, while housing affordability (57.9 cost score) remains challenging with median rents at $1,293 and home values at $330,600. These dual cost pressures limit overall livability.

Best for middle-income urban dwellers

Merrimack County suits middle-class professionals and families seeking proximity to New Hampshire's government and job centers who can absorb moderate taxes and housing costs. It appeals to those prioritizing income growth and health care access over affordability or tax minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax46Cost57.9SafetyComing SoonHealth79.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.7Risk21.8WaterComing Soon
🏛46
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.8
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 Merrimack County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Santa Cruz County
California
56.1
Median income: $109,266
Middlesex County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,779
Norfolk County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,497
Strafford County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $86,564
Monroe County
Pennsylvania
56.1
Median income: $82,374

Deep Dives

Merrimack County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Merrimack County

via TaxByCounty

Merrimack taxes well above national average

Merrimack County's effective tax rate of 2.002% ranks in the 76th percentile nationally, nearly 2.5 times the nation's median of 0.81%. The median tax bill of $6,617 exceeds the national median by 146%, reflecting both elevated rates and property values.

Third-highest rate among state counties

Merrimack County ranks third in effective tax rate at 2.002%, above the state average of 1.852% and second only to Cheshire and Coos counties. Its median tax of $6,617 is the second-highest in New Hampshire, trailing only Rockingham County.

Capital region carries steepest burden

Merrimack's 2.002% rate exceeds Grafton County's 1.884% to the north and Hillsborough County's 1.762% to the south. As the home of New Hampshire's capital and largest population centers, the county maintains the region's most aggressive tax rate.

On a $331,000 home: over $6,600

The typical Merrimack County home valued at $330,600 carries an estimated annual tax of $6,617. With a mortgage, that reaches $6,951; without one, $5,953.

Appeals offer significant relief potential

Merrimack County's elevated tax rate means that successful assessment appeals can yield thousands in annual savings. Homeowners should investigate whether their assessed values align with recent comparable sales in their communities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Merrimack County

via CostByCounty

Merrimack offers strong affordability fundamentals

Merrimack County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% beats both the national benchmark and New Hampshire's 17.7% state average. With a median income of $93,944—26% above the national median—residents enjoy robust earning power relative to housing costs.

Merrimack ranks among New Hampshire's best

Merrimack County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio places it third-best in the state, trailing only Belknap and Coos counties. This solid affordability standing, combined with strong median income, makes Merrimack an attractive option for budget-conscious New Hampshire relocators.

Better value than Hillsborough, Grafton

Merrimack's median rent of $1,293/month trails Hillsborough by $239 and Grafton by just $1 while offering incomes nearly $10,000 higher than Grafton. Compared to Hillsborough and Grafton—the state's least affordable—Merrimack delivers measurably better housing value.

Balanced costs with strong income cushion

Renters pay $1,293/month while homeowners spend $1,765/month, a significant gap suggesting homeownership carries affordability trade-offs at this price point. With median income of $93,944, housing consumes roughly 16-17% of household earnings, providing healthy reserves.

Merrimack balances affordability and opportunity

Merrimack County combines strong median income ($93,944) with below-average housing costs, making it an excellent choice for relocators seeking financial stability. Compare with Belknap for similarly strong affordability, or consider Merrimack if you need slightly higher earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Merrimack County

via IncomeByCounty

Merrimack exceeds national income standard

Merrimack County's median household income of $93,944 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by $19,189, placing the county in the top income tier. This 26% advantage reflects strong regional employment and professional opportunities.

Third richest county in New Hampshire

Merrimack ranks third among New Hampshire's ten counties with a median household income of $93,944, exceeding the state average of $86,521 by $7,423. The per capita income of $47,056 matches the state average, indicating income concentration in middle to upper-middle households.

Strong income, outshadowed by Rockingham

Merrimack households earn roughly $6,000 more than Belknap ($87,983) and $10,000 more than Grafton ($84,021), but $20,000 less than Rockingham County ($113,927). Within New Hampshire, Merrimack represents robust middle-to-upper-income stability.

Housing costs at 16.5%, very comfortable

Merrimack's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% is among the state's lowest, indicating excellent affordability relative to household income. The median home value of $330,600 aligns well with earning power, leaving significant disposable income for savings and investment.

Build diversified wealth with confidence

Merrimack's strong incomes and affordability enable disciplined savings and strategic investing across stocks, bonds, and real estate. Households can confidently pursue long-term wealth goals including retirement planning, college funding, and business ventures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Merrimack County

via HealthByCounty

Merrimack slightly above U.S. average

Merrimack County's life expectancy of 79.0 years is 0.2 years above the U.S. average of 78.8 years, indicating above-average national health performance. The county's 13% fair or poor health rate is just above the national average of 12%, suggesting room for improvement in chronic disease prevention.

Above New Hampshire's average

Merrimack County's 79.0-year life expectancy is 0.7 years above New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, placing it solidly in the healthier portion of the state. This advantage reflects good access to preventive and acute care services.

Mid-tier within state

Merrimack's 79.0 years trails Grafton (80.1) and Rockingham (80.5) by roughly 1 to 1.5 years but outperforms Belknap (77.4) and Coos (73.9) by significant margins. The county sits in the healthy middle, comparable to Carroll County at 79.3 years.

Strong access, moderate coverage gaps

Merrimack County's uninsured rate of 6.9% is just above the state average of 6.7%, affecting roughly 7 in 100 residents. The county provides solid primary care access at 99 providers per 100K and strong mental health support at 540 providers per 100K.

Enroll and stay healthy

Merrimack County's strong life expectancy reflects good healthcare access—don't fall behind if you're uninsured. Marketplace enrollment can connect you to preventive services that help maintain the county's above-average health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Merrimack County

via RiskByCounty

Merrimack County Above National Average

Merrimack County's composite risk score of 78.21 exceeds the national average of 69.89 by about 8 points, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category. Residents face above-average disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Second-Highest Risk in New Hampshire

Merrimack County ranks second-riskiest among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 78.21, trailing only Hillsborough (89.76). It exceeds the state average of 69.89 across all major hazard categories.

Riskier Than Belknap and Cheshire

Merrimack County (78.21) significantly exceeds neighboring Belknap (57.38) and Cheshire (60.50) counties to the south. Its tornado risk of 56.17 and flood risk of 85.81 reflect its central location in New Hampshire's hazard corridor.

Floods, Tornadoes, and Earthquakes Loom

Merrimack County's top hazards are flood (85.81), hurricane (84.81), and tornado (56.17), all significantly elevated compared to state averages. Earthquake risk of 76.14 adds further concern, reflecting the county's convergence of multiple disaster zones.

Secure Multi-Hazard Insurance Coverage

Merrimack County residents should carry separate flood insurance and comprehensive windstorm/tornado coverage given the combined threats of 85.81 flood, 84.81 hurricane, and 56.17 tornado risks. Standard policies rarely provide adequate protection against all three.

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.