Lebanon
RANK #637 / 996 NAT · POP 90,836
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Grafton County, New Hampshire, stands out for its mountainous terrain, encompassing a significant portion of the White Mountain National Forest. Dartmouth College in Hanover is a notable institution within the county. Located in western New Hampshire, bordering Vermont, the county is characterized by dense forests, rolling hills, and pristine lakes. Commuting primarily involves driving, with an average travel time of about 39 minutes. The community offers a blend of small-town living and access to extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, ski slopes, and various water activities on lakes like Newfound Lake and Grafton Pond. Franconia Notch State Park is a key outdoor amenity, featuring gorges and mountain passes.
Life in Grafton County offers a balance of tranquility and community. The public schools are above average, with Hanover High School, Lafayette Regional School, and Bernice A. Ray School among the top-ranked. The economy, while historically impacted by declines in natural resource and manufacturing jobs, has seen recent investment in sectors like substance abuse treatment facilities and trail infrastructure, often in collaboration with institutions like Dartmouth College. Housing costs have been a concern, with median home prices increasing in the past year. Residents often express a strong sense of community and optimism about the quality of life.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Groton Wind Farm
Avangrid (formerly Iberdrola Renovables)
|
$120M | Operating |
|
Grafton County Middle Mile Project
Grafton County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Grafton County Proposed Courthouse Project
Grafton County
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 36/100, Grafton County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $79,949 combined with job growth of +1.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Grafton County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $273,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,197/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Grafton County are hiring — job growth of +1.4% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved +3.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.25% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Grafton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.