RANK #675 / 1001 NAT · POP 155,967
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Merrimack County, New Hampshire, is defined by the Merrimack River, which bisects its hilly terrain, and its status as home to Concord, the state capital and largest city. Located in central New Hampshire, the county is about an hour's drive from Boston. Commuters utilize various options, including carpooling and a regional bus service for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The community offers a blend of suburban and rural environments, with towns like Hopkinton providing a rural feel despite being close to the capital. Outdoor recreation is prominent, with numerous state parks like Bear Brook State Park offering extensive trails for hiking, biking, and water activities on lakes and ponds.
Life in Merrimack County offers a suburban feel with access to outdoor activities. The public schools in Merrimack County are generally above average. The economy is driven by state government activities in Concord, alongside manufacturing of electronic components and aircraft parts. Recent economic developments include ongoing investments in high-speed internet infrastructure by companies like Comcast, expanding multi-gigabit internet access to more homes and businesses. Additionally, local institutions like Merrimack County Savings Bank contribute to affordable housing initiatives, supporting low- and moderate-income families.
Merrimack County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.4% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.6x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 32/100, Merrimack County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $97,004 combined with job growth of -0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Merrimack County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $367,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,360/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Merrimack County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +3.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.55% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Merrimack County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.