Strafford County
NH · Pop. 131,743 · Mixed County
Strafford County sits in New Hampshire across 367 square miles, home to 131,743 people at 359 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. The median home price is $332,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F and average winter lows of 17.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 51 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Frisbie Memorial Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Frisbie Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.98% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Strafford County, NH is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $332k
- Property tax
- 1.98%
- Growing season
- 152 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 51"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Frisbie Memorial Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Strafford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Strafford County?
- Strafford County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $332,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.98%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Frisbie Memorial Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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 Strafford 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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