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Hillsborough County

NH · Pop. 424,732 · Mixed County

17/100Homestead Score

Hillsborough County sits in New Hampshire across 877 square miles, home to 424,732 people at 484.3 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. A median home price of $386,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 16°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Joseph Hospital Milford Med Ctr is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.76%
Growing Season: 152 days
Broadband: 99.6%
Density: 484.3/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • St Joseph Hospital Milford Med Ctr, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 6.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.76% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Hillsborough County, NH is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
17/100
Median home price
$386k
Property tax
1.76%
Growing season
152 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
47.7"
Broadband
99.6%
Nearest hospital
St Joseph Hospital Milford Med Ctr, 7.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.76%
Median Household Income$100,436
Poverty Rate6.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$386K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season152 days
Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
Avg Summer High79.8°F
Avg Winter Low16°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Sweet corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado9/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSt Joseph Hospital Milford Med Ctr (7.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities10

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Hillsborough County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 16°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $386,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.76%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
St Joseph Hospital Milford Med Ctr is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.

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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.