Dover
RANK #799 / 996 NAT · POP 130,965
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Durham, home to the University of New Hampshire, stands out as a notable town within Strafford County. The county, located in southeastern New Hampshire, borders Maine and is about an hour's drive from Boston, Massachusetts. Its landscape features lowlands, rivers like the Cocheco and Lamprey, and access to Little and Great Bays, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing. The community feel varies, with some towns like Strafford offering a quiet, rural atmosphere. Commuting within the county and to nearby cities is common, with resources like TripLink providing transportation information and services.
Life in Strafford County blends natural beauty with community amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the area attracts young professionals. The economy is influenced by education and healthcare, with the University of New Hampshire in Durham being a significant institution. Efforts are underway to address housing availability and affordability, and regional planning focuses on economic growth and infrastructure improvements. The Strafford Economic Development Corporation works to support local businesses through financing and technical assistance.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Residential New Construction (multiple developments)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Strafford County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #799 of 996 counties. Job growth at -1.4% and median household income of $83,212 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Strafford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $300,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,308/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Strafford County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.3% change). Home values are +3.2% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.25% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Strafford County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.