Merrimack County
NH · Pop. 155,018 · Mixed County
Merrimack County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New Hampshire, spanning 933 square miles with 155,018 residents at a density of 166.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $331,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.9°F and average winter lows of 14°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Concord Hospital is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Concord Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14°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
Merrimack County, NH is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $331k
- Property tax
- 2%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.9"
- Broadband
- 99%
- Nearest hospital
- Concord Hospital, 9.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Merrimack County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Merrimack County?
- Merrimack County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.9°F, and average winter lows of 14°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $331,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Concord Hospital is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Hampshire Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New Hampshire
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The closest counties to Merrimack 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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