City profile · New Hampshire · Census ACS 2023

Rochester, NH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Rochester - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

32,866
Residents
$79,388
Median income
$262,600
Median home
$2,194
Median rent (state)

Rochester - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rochester lands in the 61st percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

61st
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
55th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Rochester, NH

New Hampshire's Rochester is a small city, with 32,866 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $79,388 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.6%. Rochester's housing stock carries a median value of $262,600, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. About 26.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 213 residential building permits were authorized in Rochester (Rapid Growth), up 35% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Rochester reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1220.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Hampshire carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Hampshire at 104.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,194 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $307 across New Hampshire, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 64.1 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

32,866 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Hampshire

Median Household Income

$79,388 /yr

Poverty 5.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

104.2 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Hampshire average

How does Rochester compare to other US cities?

Here's how Rochester stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Hampshire, Rochester ranks #31 of 53 New Hampshire cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Rochester against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Hampshire only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Hampshire-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Rochester toward the top of New Hampshire's cities

Among the 100 New Hampshire cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Rochester ranks #12 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Rochester only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#40 of 92
57th percentile in New Hampshire
Median Gross Rent
#12 of 100
80th percentile in New Hampshire
Median Home Value
#56 of 94
40th percentile in New Hampshire
Poverty Rate
#34 of 99
66th percentile in New Hampshire
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#60 of 100
40th percentile in New Hampshire

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Hampshire only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

61stIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rochester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rochester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 48 Avg. percentile National median
Rochester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Rochester's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$262,600 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Rochester $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Rochester, NH Rochester, NH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rochester, NH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Rochester, NH median $79,388/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Rochester, NH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Rochester, NH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
32,866
Median Income
$79,388
Median Home Value
$262,600
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor force participation
64.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1220.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
76.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1143.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
32,000 residents32,500 residents33,000 residents33,500 residents34,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,514 residents 33,716 residents ▲ +3.7%
Rochester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
213
housing units authorized
Single-Family
29
detached homes
Multifamily
184
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 158
2020 71
2021 150
2022 219
2023 92
2024 213

Permit volume increased 35% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.6%
Carpool
6.8%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
12.1%
Other
1.7%

Based on 17,649 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Hampshire - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$105
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$307
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Hampshire state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Hampshire state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Rochester sits in

Cost of Living Index
104.2
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,194/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Hampshire

Dover
33,070 people
Keene
22,923 people
Portsmouth
22,332 people
Derry
21,668 people
Concord
44,219 people
Laconia
16,982 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rochester's 32,866 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Glendale Heights, IL
32,864 people
Kaysville, UT
32,861 people
Dana Point, CA
32,883 people
Clearfield, UT
32,895 people
Bell, CA
32,830 people
Andover, MN
32,825 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rochester's $79,388 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wilton Manors, FL
$79,390 median income
Owasso, OK
$79,386 median income
Delray Beach, FL
$79,393 median income
Prattville, AL
$79,396 median income
Crestline, CA
$79,378 median income
Waverly, AL
$79,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rochester, NH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Rochester, NH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.7% White 92.8% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Rochester compares to nearby New Hampshire cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Rochester (this city) 32,866 $79,388
Dover 33,070 $92,748
Keene 22,923 $78,183
Portsmouth 22,332 $105,756
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NH FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rochester, NH?

What is the population of Rochester, NH? +

Rochester, NH counts 32,866 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rochester, NH? +

Median annual household income in Rochester runs $79,388, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rochester? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Rochester; the closest available measure is the New Hampshire state average, a cost of living index of 104.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Hampshire vary by metro area.

Is Rochester, NH safe? +

Rochester has a total crime rate of 1220.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Rochester, NH? +

Homes in Rochester carry a median value of $262,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.