City · New Hampshire
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester, city, in Strafford County, New Hampshire. Rochester had 33,716 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,492 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 33,144 (±44). GEOID 3365140.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,716
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,492 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,144 ±44
Median household income
$80,836
±$3,248 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $99,031
Median home value
$279,100
±$10,241 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $402,500
Median gross rent
$1,369
±$72 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $1,491
Where is Rochester and what county is it in?
Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It covers 45.0 square miles of land, 722 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rochester is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rochester, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 33,716 people lived in Rochester on July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, faster than New Hampshire (+2.7%). The 2020 Census counted 32,492 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 33,144 (±44).
| Measure | Rochester | Strafford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,144 ±44 | 132,575 | +2,189 |
| Households | 13,932 ±467 | 52,080 | +1,152 |
| Average household size | 2.36 ±0.08 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,698 ±469 | 56,609 | +1,176 |
Rochester's population since 2000
From 28,461 in 2000 to 33,716 in 2025: up 18.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rochester as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rochester?
The median resident of Rochester is 43.0 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.0%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rochester | Strafford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 ±1.8 | 38.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.2% ±1.5 pts | 17.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6% ±1.5 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 50.5% ±1.5 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.1% ±1.7 pts | 87.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 2.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4% ±1.0 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.5% ±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.7% ±1.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6% ±1.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5% ±1.3 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.1% ±2.1 pts | 39.3% | +5.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.0% ±1.3 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.9% ±2.0 pts | 84.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3% ±1.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rochester earn?
Half of Rochester's 13,932 households earn less than $80,836 a year (±$3,248), against $88,570 in Strafford County and $99,031 in New Hampshire. In 2015-2019 it was $76,523 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rochester | Strafford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,836 ±$3,248 | $88,570 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $98,390 ±$5,427 | $114,189 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,462 ±$2,244 | $46,304 | +$3,050 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.5% ±3.5 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.6% ±2.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.6% ±1.8 pts | 96.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.2% ±2.2 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rochester?
Owners occupy 66.0% of Rochester's occupied homes and renters 34.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $279,100 by its owner (±$10,241). The median renter pays $1,369 a month including utilities, and 35.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rochester | Strafford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $279,100 ±$10,241 | $362,800 | +$67,051 |
| Median gross rent | $1,369 ±$72 | $1,488 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.6% ±6.3 pts | 41.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,044 ±$109 | $2,330 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.0% ±3.5 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.0% ±3.5 pts | 32.9% | – |
| Housing units | 14,698 ±469 | 56,609 | +1,176 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.4% ±3.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.1% ±2.6 pts | 55.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.7% ±2.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.1% ±1.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5% ±2.1 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.0% ±1.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rochester building?
Builders took permits for 214 new housing units in Rochester in 2025 (95 in single-family houses), 6.3 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Hampshire.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rochester work and get to work?
78.0% of Rochester's workers drive alone and 11.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Rochester | Strafford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.7% ±2.7 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±1.3 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.0% ±2.9 pts | 71.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2% ±1.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.8% ±2.2 pts | 16.2% | +7.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.1 min ±1.6 | 26.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rochester?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Rochester (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $58,375 (Tract 843.02) to $96,786 (Tract 842.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 841Strafford County | 6,122 | $83,192 |
| Tract 842.01Strafford County | 4,785 | $96,786 |
| Tract 843.02Strafford County | 4,683 | $58,375 |
| Tract 845Strafford County | 4,467 | $89,706 |
| Tract 844Strafford County | 4,155 | $78,173 |
| Tract 842.02Strafford County | 3,686 | $69,904 |
| Tract 846Strafford County | 3,011 | $86,236 |
| Tract 843.01Strafford County | 2,235 | $51,782 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rochester) · Census block assignment files
How does Rochester compare with other places in New Hampshire?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rochester is the 1,235th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 13 in New Hampshire.
Rochester ranks 169th of 235 places in New Hampshire with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 13 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 54th | 187 |
| Residents per square mile | 49th | 241 |
| Median household income | 169th | 235 |
| Per capita income | 168th | 240 |
| Median home value | 181st | 239 |
| Median gross rent | 98th | 221 |
| Poverty rate | 73rd | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 188th | 239 |
| Median age | 155th | 239 |
| Owner-occupied share | 188th | 241 |
| Work from home | 155th | 214 |
| Travel time to work | 141st | 241 |
Rochester's figures with every place in New Hampshire (CSV)
Every place in New Hampshire, sortable · Compare Rochester with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rochester?
4 of the 57 figures for Rochester on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rochester are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rochester.