CountyScore

Strafford County

New Hampshire · NH

#9 in New Hampshire
56.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Strafford County, New Hampshire

Strafford outpaces the nation

Strafford County's composite score of 56.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 60th percentile nationwide. This means the county outperforms most American counties on the overall livability index, driven largely by strong health outcomes and moderate tax rates.

Middle of the pack in New Hampshire

At 56.1, Strafford ranks slightly below New Hampshire's state average of 58.3, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 10 counties. While not a top performer, it remains solidly competitive within New England's strong regional baseline.

Health and tax advantages shine

Strafford County excels in health outcomes with a score of 78.2, among the highest dimensions measured. The county also maintains a relatively low effective tax rate of 1.98%, and median household income of $86,564 outpaces many rural areas.

Income and risk need attention

The county struggles with income inequality and opportunity, scoring just 39.9 on the income dimension despite a respectable median household income. Risk exposure scores at 35.9, suggesting residents face higher exposure to environmental, economic, or other livability pressures.

A solid choice for health-minded families

Strafford County suits families prioritizing healthcare access and stable tax policy over wage growth or cutting-edge amenities. It's a practical pick for middle-income households seeking New England roots without the top-tier costs of southern New Hampshire.

Score breakdown

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

Tax46.6Cost55.9SafetyComing SoonHealth78.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.9Risk35.9WaterComing Soon
🏛46.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.9
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 Strafford 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
Merrimack County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $93,944
Monroe County
Pennsylvania
56.1
Median income: $82,374

Deep Dives

Strafford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Strafford County

via TaxByCounty

Strafford taxes outpace national median

Strafford County's effective tax rate of 1.98% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing the county in the higher tier nationally. Homeowners here pay $6,582 annually on a median home valued at $332,400—more than double the national median property tax of $2,690. This higher burden reflects New Hampshire's reliance on property taxes as a primary revenue source, with limited state income or sales taxes.

Above average within New Hampshire

Strafford County ranks above the state average with an effective rate of 1.98% compared to New Hampshire's 1.85% statewide. The median property tax of $6,582 in Strafford exceeds the state median of $5,680 by $902 annually. This places Strafford among the higher-taxing counties in the state, though variation among individual towns remains substantial.

Higher than Sullivan County nearby

Strafford County's 1.98% effective rate edges out its western neighbor Sullivan County at 2.38%—but Sullivan residents pay less in absolute dollars due to lower home values. Strafford's median home value of $332,400 is $96,100 higher than Sullivan's $236,300, making Strafford's tax burden steeper despite the similar rate structure. Regional comparison shows significant variation across New Hampshire's seacoast and southern regions.

What median homeowners pay annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $332,400 in Strafford County pays approximately $6,582 in annual property taxes, or $549 monthly. Adding mortgage-related levies increases this to $6,944 yearly for those still financing their homes. This represents a substantial ongoing cost beyond mortgage principal and interest.

Consider a property tax appeal

Many Strafford County homeowners are overassessed relative to their home's actual market value, making a formal assessment appeal worth exploring. Tax assessments are updated cyclically, and properties may be valued above comparable sales in your neighborhood. Consulting your town's assessor or a tax professional about appeal eligibility could reduce your bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Strafford County

via CostByCounty

Strafford rents eat 19.6% of income

Strafford County renters spend 19.6% of their median household income on rent—above the national benchmark of roughly 15-17%. While that's still manageable by affordability standards, it signals tighter household budgets than the nation's median earner experiences.

Above-average costs in New Hampshire

Strafford's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New Hampshire's state average of 17.7%, placing it among the pricier counties in the state. At $1,413/month median rent, Strafford charges $140 more than the state median, reflecting stronger regional demand.

Strafford costs more than Sullivan

Strafford's $1,413 median rent runs $254 higher than neighboring Sullivan County's $1,159—a 22% premium for living in the eastern Seacoast region. Homeownership costs follow the same pattern: Strafford's $1,750 monthly owner cost dwarfs Sullivan's $1,316.

Housing takes its share here

In Strafford, renters spend $1,413/month while homeowners pay $1,750/month against a median household income of $86,564. Together, these figures show housing consumes 19.6% of renter income and roughly 24% of owner income—above-average burdens for New Hampshire.

Consider Strafford's tradeoff

Strafford County offers a median home value of $332,400 and a median income $11,809 above the national average, making it attractive for higher earners seeking the Seacoast lifestyle. If housing costs matter more than location, Sullivan County delivers similar amenities at notably lower rents and purchase prices.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Strafford County

via IncomeByCounty

Strafford earns 16% above the nation

Strafford County's median household income of $86,564 outpaces the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $12,000 annually. This positions the county in the upper income tier nationwide, reflecting a strong regional economy anchored by healthcare, education, and light manufacturing.

Strafford ranks near the state median

At $86,564, Strafford's median household income runs virtually even with New Hampshire's state average of $86,521, placing it squarely in the middle tier among the state's 10 counties. The county matches the broader prosperity of the Granite State without standing apart.

Sullivan County lags Strafford by $10,600

Strafford's $86,564 median household income significantly exceeds neighboring Sullivan County's $75,929—a gap of 13.9 percent. This difference reflects Strafford's denser population centers and larger employment base compared to Sullivan's more rural, dispersed economy.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Strafford County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend less than one-fifth of gross income on housing. With a median home value of $332,400, homeownership requires substantial savings, but the strong median income makes this achievable for many households.

Build on Strafford's income advantage

With median household income nearly 16% above the national average, Strafford residents have meaningful capacity to save and invest beyond basic expenses. Starting a retirement account, building an emergency fund, or consulting a financial advisor can help households convert this regional income advantage into long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Strafford County

via HealthByCounty

Strafford's life expectancy lags nationally

Residents of Strafford County live to an average age of 77.6 years, about 1.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.7 years. At the same time, 14.2% of Strafford residents report being in poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 16.3%, suggesting pockets of managed chronic conditions amid a generally healthy population.

Below average within New Hampshire

Strafford County ranks in the middle tier of New Hampshire counties for health outcomes, with a life expectancy of 77.6 years trailing the state average of 78.3 years. The county's uninsured rate of 5.6% is actually better than New Hampshire's state average of 6.7%, indicating stronger health coverage in this region.

Strafford outperforms Sullivan County

Compared to neighboring Sullivan County, Strafford residents enjoy a slight health advantage, with a life expectancy of 77.6 years versus Sullivan's 78.0 years—though both counties fall just shy of the state average. Strafford also has a lower uninsured rate at 5.6% compared to Sullivan's 7.0%, reflecting better insurance access across the region.

Adequate primary care, strong mental health access

Strafford County has 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 330 mental health providers per 100,000—substantially above national averages in mental health support. With an uninsured rate of just 5.6%, most residents have pathways to preventive and routine care, though gaps remain for the estimated 6,000 uninsured residents.

Verify your coverage today

If you're among Strafford County's uninsured residents, now is the time to explore your options through the NH Health Plan Marketplace or contact local community health centers for subsidized care. Even small gaps in coverage can delay critical preventive screenings and treatment—don't wait to find a plan that works for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Strafford County

via RiskByCounty

Strafford faces moderate disaster risk nationally

Strafford County scores 64.09 on composite risk, rating it as Relatively Low compared to the nation's average exposure. This means the county experiences meaningful but manageable hazard threats across multiple disaster types, positioning it in the lower-to-middle range of U.S. counties.

Below-average risk within New Hampshire

Strafford's composite risk score of 64.09 sits below New Hampshire's state average of 69.89, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This relative advantage comes despite elevated earthquake and hurricane exposure compared to other hazard types.

Safer than Sullivan but exposed to coastal threats

Strafford's score of 64.09 significantly exceeds Sullivan County's 37.56, reflecting Strafford's greater exposure to earthquake (77.39 vs. 43.07) and hurricane risks (76.55 vs. 67.04). Both counties cluster well below the state average, but Strafford's proximity to the Atlantic coast amplifies its compound weather risks.

Earthquakes and hurricanes pose greatest threats

Strafford residents face the highest hazard exposure from earthquakes (77.39) and hurricanes (76.55), followed by significant flood risk (75.95)—all elevated relative to state and national baselines. Tornado and wildfire risks remain comparatively low at 42.21 and 34.51 respectively, offering some protection in those hazard categories.

Prioritize coverage for earthquakes and hurricanes

Homeowners in Strafford should ensure comprehensive insurance addressing earthquake damage and hurricane impact, as standard policies often exclude these perils. Flood insurance is also wise given the county's above-average flood score of 75.95, particularly for properties in mapped risk zones or near rivers and coastal areas.

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.