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Carroll County, NH

Conway

RANK #434 / 996 NAT  ·  POP 50,679

1YR FORECAST: +1.4%

5YR OUTLOOK: +25%

Carroll County's housing market is projected to grow +1.4% over the next year, tracking near the national average.

[01] Why Carroll County?

Wolfeboro, known as the "Oldest Summer Resort in America," offers a glimpse into Carroll County, New Hampshire's appeal. Located in eastern New Hampshire, bordered by Lake Winnipesaukee to the southwest and the White Mountains to the northwest, the county provides a rural environment within a short drive of northern New England's urban centers. Commuting options within the county are primarily by car, though some volunteer and public transportation services exist for specific needs. The region is characterized by its natural beauty, with a quarter of the county lying within the White Mountain National Forest, and numerous lakes providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Popular activities include skiing, hiking, biking, and swimming.

Life in Carroll County often attracts retirees and those seeking a connection to the outdoors. The economy is largely driven by tourism and recreation, particularly in towns like Conway and Wolfeboro. While the county has seen employment growth, many jobs are in the tourism industry. Healthcare and social assistance, along with retail trade and construction, are common employment sectors. The area has also experienced an increase in remote workers, contributing to population growth. Local schools, such as Tuftonboro Central School and Robert Frost Charter School, serve the community.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.1x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.9%

Below national median

Home Prices
+0.0%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
0.9

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
23x

Prices detached from rents

Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Huggins Hospital Healthcare
    500+
  2. 2
    Memorial Hospital Healthcare
    250+
  3. 3
    County of Carroll Government
  4. 4
    Cranmore Mountain Resort Hospitality
  5. 5
    Moultonborough Central School Education
  6. 6
    Camp Cody Hospitality
  7. 7
    King Pine Ski Area Hospitality
  8. 8
    Alvin J Coleman & Son Inc Manufacturing
    100+
  9. 9
    Brewster Academy Education
  10. 10
    Lowe's Home Improvement Retail

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Carroll County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
50,679
+1.44% YoY
Median Household Income
$77,049
Median Home Value
$315,800
+0.01% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,138
Average Annual Pay
$51,660
+3.9% YoY
Employment
19,693
+0.9% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.244
Near national average
Migration Inflow
1.45%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
37.5%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$527,000
Days on Market
104
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.3
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.4%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
12.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
11.8%
Building Permits (2024)
355
Single-Family Permits
351

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

C+
SAFETY
GRADE
Firearm Fatalities
12.0
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
102.6
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
based on homicide rate

Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.9% 33 percentile
Population Growth +1.4% 81 percentile
Income Growth +8.7% 55 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 89 percentile
Home Price Change +0.0% 31 percentile
Price/Rent 23x 3 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carroll County, NH a good place to move to?

Carroll County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#434). Median household income is $77,049 and job growth is running at +0.9%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.

Is Carroll County affordable?

Carroll County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $315,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,138/month on average.

Is Carroll County growing or shrinking?

Carroll County's population is growing — up +1.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +0.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.

Are many people relocating to Carroll County?

Not particularly — 1.45% of Carroll County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.

[08] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Cheshire County, NH 53 Belknap County, NH 64 Hillsborough County, NH 42 Merrimack County, NH 36 Grafton County, NH 36 Strafford County, NH 19 Washington County, NY 56 Allegany County, MD 56