Belknap County
NH · Pop. 64,300 · Mixed County
Belknap County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New Hampshire, spanning 402 square miles with 64,300 residents at a density of 160 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. A median home price of $340,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F and average winter lows of 14.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Concord Hospital - Laconia is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Concord Hospital - Laconia, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 44.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 8.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Belknap County, NH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 41/100
- Median home price
- $340k
- Property tax
- 1.44%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.2"
- Broadband
- 99.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Concord Hospital - Laconia, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Belknap County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Belknap County?
- Belknap County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F, and average winter lows of 14.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $340,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Concord Hospital - Laconia is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in New Hampshire
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The closest counties to Belknap County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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