County · New Hampshire

Belknap County, New Hampshire

Belknap County, New Hampshire. Belknap County had 65,147 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with New Hampshire (+2.7%). It holds 16 places (1 city, village or borough, 10 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 18 census tracts. GEOID 33001.

Belknap County is the county of the Laconia, NH micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

65,147

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 63,705 · ACS 2020-2024: 64,659

Median household income

$92,783

±$4,217 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $99,031

Median home value

$374,900

±$10,174 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $402,500

Median gross rent

$1,167

±$72 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $1,491

How many people live in Belknap County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 63,705 residents in Belknap County. The Census Bureau estimates 65,147 for July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with New Hampshire (+2.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 64,659 over 402 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +833 (64,612)
2021→2022 +31 (64,643)
2022→2023 +396 (65,039)
2023→2024 +130 (65,169)
2024→2025 −22 (65,147)

Belknap County in New Hampshire. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Belknap County	New Hampshire	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	64,659	1,394,868	+3,772
Households	26,337±724	555,822	+1,285
Average household size	2.41±0.07	2.44	no clear change
Housing units	39,003±49	648,472	+396

Belknap County's population since 2000

From 56,325 in 2000 to 65,147 in 2025: up 15.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.

2000 Census 56,325
2005 (estimate) 60,287
2010 Census 60,088
2015 (estimate) 60,408
2020 Census 63,705
2025 (estimate) 65,147

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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Belknap County?

Belknap County holds 16 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Laconia with 17,246 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Belknap County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Laconia	city	16,871	17,085±27	$73,218	$340,300	12.6%	100%
Gilford	town	7,699	7,830±22	$116,635	$456,500	6.2%	100%
Belmont	town	7,314	7,392±17	$69,063	$316,300	10.3%	100%
Meredith	town	6,662	6,758±22	$87,019	$480,100	7.7%	100%
Alton	town	5,894	5,994±28	$113,715	$430,400	4.1%	100%
Barnstead	town	4,915	4,994±19	$111,660	$362,400	3.4%	100%
Tilton	town	3,962	4,063±15	$66,667	$216,700	12.5%	100%
Gilmanton	town	3,945	4,026±14	$117,088	$363,700	4.0%	100%
Sanbornton	town	3,026	3,053±23	$113,750	$452,300	4.8%	100%
Meredith CDP	CDP	2,527	2,617±484	$59,375	$450,000	9.6%	100%
New Hampton	town	2,377	2,509±229	$95,250	$383,700	13.2%	100%
Tilton Northfield	CDP	3,324	3,101±527	$66,705	$250,000	11.2%	55%
Belmont CDPGEOID 3304660	CDP	1,285	1,378±441	$52,594	$208,700	10.4%	100%
Center Harbor	town	1,040	955±229	$104,313	$463,800	2.0%	100%
Alton CDPGEOID 3300980	CDP	499	281±229	not published	$363,300	3.4%	100%
New Hampton CDPGEOID 3351460	CDP	373	302±81	$105,938	$298,200	32.1%	100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Belknap County?

The median resident of Belknap County is 48.4 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 24.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.8%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Belknap County	New Hampshire	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	48.4±0.5	43.3	+1.0
Under 18 years	17.3%±0.1 pts	18.2%	–
65 years and over	24.0%±0.1 pts	20.1%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.3%	4.7%	+0.6 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	92.7%±0.6 pts	86.9%	−2.3 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	0.5%±0.1 pts	1.3%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	1.2%±0.2 pts	2.6%	+0.3 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.0%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	2.8%±0.5 pts	4.0%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.5%±0.4 pts	0.4%	–
Born outside the United States	2.8%±0.5 pts	6.1%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	3.5%±0.6 pts	7.9%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	9.7%±0.8 pts	7.6%	–
With a disability	15.0%±1.3 pts	13.3%	–
No health insurance coverage	5.9%±1.0 pts	5.3%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	93.8%±1.2 pts	94.4%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	33.6%±1.6 pts	40.6%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	13.1%±1.1 pts	16.1%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	3.5%±0.9 pts	3.6%	–

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 Belknap County earn?

Half of Belknap County's 26,337 households earn less than $92,783 a year (±$4,217), against $99,031 in New Hampshire. In 2015-2019 the median was $85,468 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,315 after inflation. 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Belknap County	New Hampshire	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$92,783±$4,217	$99,031	+$7,315
Mean household income	$116,878±$5,465	$128,322	–
Per capita income	$49,037±$2,273	$52,798	no clear change
People below the poverty line	8.5%±1.2 pts	7.2%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	11.1%±2.8 pts	7.9%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	6.9%±1.3 pts	6.1%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	91.9%±1.4 pts	92.9%	–

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 Belknap County?

Owners occupy 80.1% of Belknap County's occupied homes and renters 19.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $374,900 by its owner (±$10,174). The median renter pays $1,167 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Belknap County	New Hampshire	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$374,900±$10,174	$402,500	+$96,148
Median gross rent	$1,167±$72	$1,491	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	41.5%±6.7 pts	38.4%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$2,115±$63	$2,367	–
Owner-occupied homes	80.1%±1.9 pts	72.8%	+4.6 pts
Housing units	39,003±49	648,472	+396
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.9%±0.6 pts	0.4%	–
Rental vacancy rate	2.1%±2.1 pts	4.0%	–
Single-family detached homes	73.8%±1.7 pts	63.3%	–
Mobile homes	7.2%±1.1 pts	5.2%	–
Built 2020 or later	1.0%±0.3 pts	1.3%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	16.7%±1.5 pts	18.6%	–

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 Belknap County building?

Builders took permits for 423 new housing units across Belknap County in 2025 (332 single-family), 6.5 per 1,000 residents.

2019 223 units
2020 340 units
2021 433 units
2022 365 units
2023 354 units
2024 282 units
2025 423 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Belknap County get to work?

76.4% of Belknap County's workers drive alone and 13.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Belknap County	New Hampshire	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	62.7%±1.5 pts	66.3%	–
Unemployment rate	3.1%±0.8 pts	3.3%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	76.4%±2.2 pts	72.0%	–
Carpooled	7.7%±1.3 pts	7.0%	–
Public transportation	0.4%±0.3 pts	0.5%	–
Walked	1.4%±0.6 pts	2.3%	–
Worked from home	13.5%±1.7 pts	16.8%	+7.6 pts
Mean travel time to work	25.0 min±1.3	26.7 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 are Belknap County's census tracts?

Belknap County is divided into 18 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,880 (Tract 9659) to $123,581 (Tract 9664.04).

Census tracts of Belknap County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 965133001965100	New Hampton (10%)	3,417	3,464±28	$102,768	$400,300	$933	10.1%
Tract 965233001965200	Meredith (31%)	2,982	3,261±313	$61,820	$587,500	$897	11.3%
Tract 965333001965300	Meredith (33%)	3,680	3,497±313	$93,507	$434,700	$1,598	4.1%
Tract 965433001965400	–	3,026	3,053±23	$113,750	$452,300	$1,289	4.8%
Tract 9655.9833001965598	Tilton Northfield (38%)	3,962	4,063±15	$66,667	$216,700	$948	12.5%
Tract 965633001965600	–	3,945	4,026±14	$117,088	$363,700	$1,125	4.0%
Tract 965733001965700	–	4,915	4,994±19	$111,660	$362,400	$1,395	3.4%
Tract 9658.0133001965801	Belmont (6%)	3,239	3,405±420	$103,971	$370,500	$1,176	5.6%
Tract 9658.0233001965802	Belmont (31%)	4,075	3,987±420	$53,442	$272,400	$838	14.4%
Tract 965933001965900	Laconia	4,092	4,188±494	$48,880	$266,700	$1,290	23.7%
Tract 966033001966000	Laconia	5,052	5,411±621	$66,715	$406,400	$1,187	10.9%
Tract 966133001966100	Laconia	4,493	4,165±660	$97,006	$369,400	$1,180	7.6%
Tract 966233001966200	Laconia	3,234	3,321±548	$80,634	$329,900	$1,234	7.4%
Tract 9664.0133001966401	–	1,460	1,241±310	$93,611	$583,800	not published	18.2%
Tract 9664.0333001966403	–	3,957	4,251±366	$116,940	$363,400	$1,787	5.6%
Tract 9664.0433001966404	–	2,282	2,338±395	$123,581	$560,500	$851	1.1%
Tract 9665.0133001966501	Alton (9%)	3,082	3,412±368	$121,250	$416,000	not published	5.5%
Tract 9665.0233001966502	Alton (4%)	2,812	2,582±373	$96,786	$447,700	not published	2.2%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Belknap County compare with New Hampshire's other counties?

Belknap County's rank among New Hampshire's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	7th of 10
Growth 2020-2025	8th of 10
Residents per square mile	5th of 10
Median household income	4th of 10
Median home value	4th of 10
Median gross rent	9th of 10
Poverty rate	6th of 10
Bachelor's degree or higher	8th of 10
Median age	3rd of 10

Every county in New Hampshire

Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Belknap County 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' school search.