countyscore

Strafford County, New Hampshire — County Report Card

NH

#8 in New Hampshire

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
40.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 89.3Health 84.6Schools 56.8

County Report Card

About Strafford County, New Hampshire

Strafford County Below National Median

Strafford County earns a composite score of 40.1, which falls below the national median of 50.0. This score places the county in the lower 40th percentile of all counties across the United States.

Slightly Under State Performance Average

With a 40.1 composite score, Strafford trails the New Hampshire state average of 43.1. While it remains a significant regional hub, it faces stiff competition from higher-scoring neighbors in the Granite State.

High Incomes and Strong Health Metrics

The county shines with an Income Score of 89.8 and a Health Score of 84.6. Median household incomes reach $86,564, providing residents with significant financial resources and access to quality wellness outcomes.

Tax Burdens and Living Costs Pressure Budgets

Affordability is a major challenge, as seen in a low Tax Score of 3.4 and a Cost Score of 6.6. Residents face a high 1.980% effective tax rate and median monthly rents of $1,413.

A High-Prosperity Trade-off

Strafford is best for high-earning professionals who value health and income growth over low taxes. It offers a thriving economic environment for those who can navigate the steep cost of living and property taxes.

2040608010046.842.784.656.889.335.935.952.3Tax4Cost6.8Safety42.7Health84.6Schools56.8Income89.3Risk35.9Water35.9Weather52.340.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Strafford County DNA

Foverall

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

Strafford County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (89.3/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
4-48
Cost
6.8-41.2
Safety
42.7-12.299999999999997
Health
84.6+34.599999999999994
Schools
56.8
Income
89.3+38.3
Risk
35.9-11.100000000000001
Water
35.9-22.1
Weather
52.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Strafford County?

Many homeowners in Strafford County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$362,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,488/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$362,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$59,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $88,570/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.8

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Compare Strafford County with Cochise County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

York County
Maine
47.2
Rockingham County
New Hampshire
48.9
Belknap County
New Hampshire
39.2
Merrimack County
New Hampshire
43.8
Hillsborough County
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Carroll County
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Essex County
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Cumberland County
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47.7

Deep Dives

Strafford County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Strafford County

via CrimeByCounty

Strafford County Outperforms National Safety Standards

With a total crime rate of 1296.5 per 100,000 residents, Strafford remains significantly safer than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an exceptional safety score of 98.0, placing it among the most secure regions in the country.

Strafford Mirrors New Hampshire's High Safety Standards

The county's safety score of 98.0 matches the New Hampshire state average exactly. While its total crime rate is slightly above the state mean of 1242.4, it remains a pillar of regional security.

Strafford Remains Competitive With Its Regional Neighbors

Strafford's total crime rate of 1296.5 is slightly higher than neighboring Sullivan's 1259.4 rate. However, Strafford maintains a lower violent crime rate of 116.8 compared to Sullivan’s 133.8 per 100,000 people.

Property Crimes Dominate the Local Safety Landscape

Property crime accounts for 1179.7 incidents per 100,000 people, while violent crime sits at a low 116.8. This violent crime rate remains lower than the state average of 128.4, highlighting a trend of primarily non-confrontational offenses.

Simple Steps to Secure Your Strafford Home

Since property crime represents the vast majority of local incidents at 1179.7 per 100,000, home security remains a wise investment. Basic measures like motion lights and smart locks can further reduce these already low-risk statistics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Strafford County

via WeatherByCounty

Strafford's Temperate Continental Climate

Strafford County averages 47.3°F annually, making it significantly cooler than the national median temperature of approximately 53°F. This reflects a classic humid continental climate characterized by distinct, vigorous seasonal changes.

One of New Hampshire's Warmer Regions

At 47.3°F, Strafford remains nearly two degrees warmer than the New Hampshire state average of 45.4°F. Its annual precipitation of 46.5 inches almost exactly mirrors the statewide average of 46.4 inches.

Milder Than Its Inland Neighbors

Strafford is noticeably warmer and less snow-prone than Sullivan County, which averages only 44.3°F annually. While Strafford sees 38.9 inches of snow, its western counterparts often face much heavier winter totals.

Predictable Heat and Moderate Snow

The county experiences about 10 extreme heat days per year where temperatures exceed 90°F, primarily during the 70.3°F July average. Winter stays relatively mild for the state, with a December-to-February average of 26.4°F and 38.9 inches of total snowfall.

Planning for Consistent Coastal Precipitation

Residents should invest in reliable rain gear and drainage systems to handle 46.5 inches of annual precipitation. While snowfall is moderate compared to the mountains, heating systems must still handle January lows that average 23.7°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Strafford County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Soil Conditions

Strafford County features a notably acidic environment with a pH level of 3.86, falling well below the national median of 6.5. This measurement is also lower than the New Hampshire average of 4.24, suggesting a need for lime amendments in most garden plots.

Coarse Sand-Driven Soil Texture

The soil contains 39.4% sand and 25.8% silt, creating a gritty texture with only 6.2% clay. This composition generally facilitates quick drainage and easy tilling, though it may struggle to hold onto mobile nutrients compared to heavier soils.

High Organic Matter and Capacity

Organic matter reaches 28.13%, which is significantly higher than the 2.0% national average but trails the state average of 32.63%. The available water capacity of 0.158 in/in indicates moderate moisture storage, providing a decent foundation for plant growth during dry spells.

Navigating Limited Hydrologic Data

While specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not recorded for this area, the overall soil score of 46.0 sits below the state average of 59.8. This lower score suggests that builders and farmers may encounter more landscape challenges here than in neighboring counties.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 6a

Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, Strafford supports a wide range of cold-hardy perennials and vegetables. Start a garden today to take advantage of the high organic content and the region's favorable growing season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Strafford County

via LawnByCounty

Strafford County Faces Steep Lawn Challenges

Strafford County earns a lawn difficulty score of 41.9, trailing both the New Hampshire average of 47.9 and the national median of 50.0. Property owners in this USDA Hardiness Zone 6a region must work harder than their neighbors to maintain lush turf. While the climate is manageable, the specific environmental hurdles here make standard maintenance more intensive.

Ample Rainfall Meets High Summer Heat

The county receives 46.5 inches of annual precipitation, which sits perfectly within the ideal range for grass health. However, Strafford averages 10 extreme heat days per year, significantly higher than the state average of 7 days. With 2,347 growing degree days, mowing schedules remain busy throughout the summer as the grass reacts to the warmth.

Highly Acidic Soil Requires Remediation

The local soil pH is a very acidic 3.86, falling far below the ideal lawn range of 6.0 to 7.0. This 39.4% sandy soil provides some drainage but lacks the structural support of significant clay, which makes up only 6.2% of the mix. Extensive lime applications and organic matter are essential to balance these ground conditions.

Severe Drought Forces Smart Watering

Grass has struggled recently as the county spent 40 weeks in drought over the last year, with 97.4% of the area currently facing severe conditions. Gardeners must prioritize deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to keep roots resilient. These conditions currently affect 100% of the county, making water conservation a necessity rather than an option.

Success Starts After the Last Frost

Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue are the best choices for this 6a climate zone. Aim to seed or sod after the last spring frost on May 7th to ensure young grass survives the transition. Be sure to finish major lawn projects before the first fall frost arrives on October 9th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Strafford County's county score?
Strafford County, New Hampshire has a composite county score of 40.2 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 Strafford County rank among counties in New Hampshire?
Strafford County ranks #8 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 Strafford County, New Hampshire?
The median annual property tax in Strafford County is $6,708, with an effective tax rate of 1.85%. This earns Strafford County a tax score of 4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Strafford County?
The median household income in Strafford County, New Hampshire is $88,570 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Strafford County earns an income score of 89.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Strafford County, New Hampshire a good place to live?
Strafford County scores 40.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in New Hampshire. The best way to evaluate Strafford 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 Strafford 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.