RANK #230 / 996 · POP 90,836 · NH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%
Grafton County, New Hampshire, stands out for its mountainous terrain, encompassing a significant portion of the White Mountain National Forest. Dartmouth College in Hanover is a notable institution within the county. Located in western New Hampshire, bordering Vermont, the county is characterized by dense forests, rolling hills, and pristine lakes. Commuting primarily involves driving, with an average travel time of about 39 minutes. The community offers a blend of small-town living and access to extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, ski slopes, and various water activities on lakes like Newfound Lake and Grafton Pond. Franconia Notch State Park is a key outdoor amenity, featuring gorges and mountain passes.
Life in Grafton County offers a balance of tranquility and community. The public schools are above average, with Hanover High School, Lafayette Regional School, and Bernice A. Ray School among the top-ranked. The economy, while historically impacted by declines in natural resource and manufacturing jobs, has seen recent investment in sectors like substance abuse treatment facilities and trail infrastructure, often in collaboration with institutions like Dartmouth College. Housing costs have been a concern, with median home prices increasing in the past year. Residents often express a strong sense of community and optimism about the quality of life.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Groton Wind Farm
Avangrid (formerly Iberdrola Renovables)
|
$120M | Operating |
|
Grafton County Middle Mile Project
Grafton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Grafton County Proposed Courthouse Project
Grafton County
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grafton County has a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, ranking #230 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $79,949, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Grafton County is $273,100 with median rent at $1,197/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2927, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.25% of Grafton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.