County · New Hampshire
Strafford County, New Hampshire
Strafford County, New Hampshire. Strafford County had 135,043 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with New Hampshire (+2.7%). It holds 17 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 10 towns and townships and 4 census-designated) and 30 census tracts. GEOID 33017.
Strafford County is one of the 7 counties of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
135,043
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 130,889 · ACS 2020-2024: 132,575
Median household income
$88,570
±$4,424 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $99,031
Median home value
$362,800
±$7,889 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $402,500
Median gross rent
$1,488
±$47 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $1,491
How many people live in Strafford County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 130,889 residents in Strafford County. The Census Bureau estimates 135,043 for July 1, 2025, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with New Hampshire (+2.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 132,575 over 367 square miles of land.
| Measure | Strafford County | New Hampshire | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 132,575 | 1,394,868 | +3,451 |
| Households | 52,080±479 | 555,822 | +3,098 |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 56,609±132 | 648,472 | +2,726 |
Strafford County's population since 2000
From 112,233 in 2000 to 135,043 in 2025: up 20.3%. 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.
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 Strafford County?
Strafford County holds 17 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Dover with 34,623 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Dover | 32,741 | $94,829 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 32,492 | $80,836 |
| Durham | 15,490 | $124,056 |
| Somersworth | 11,855 | $74,504 |
| Durham CDP | 11,147 | $112,070 |
| Barrington | 9,326 | $110,323 |
| Farmington | 6,722 | $66,943 |
| Lee | 4,520 | $131,579 |
| Milton | 4,482 | $94,493 |
| Strafford | 4,230 | $122,105 |
| Farmington CDP | 3,824 | $55,029 |
| New Durham | 2,693 | $100,194 |
| Rollinsford | 2,597 | $89,500 |
| Madbury | 1,918 | $148,365 |
| Middleton | 1,823 | $101,696 |
| Milton CDPGEOID 3348580 | 593 | $48,125 |
| Milton MillsGEOID 3348740 | 313 | $250,000 or more |
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 Strafford County?
The median resident of Strafford County is 38.2 years old; 17.6% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%. 4.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Strafford County | New Hampshire | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2±0.4 | 43.3 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 17.6%±0.1 pts | 18.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1%±0.1 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.2% | 4.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.6%±0.4 pts | 86.9% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | −0.6 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 | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.4%±0.5 pts | 6.1% | −0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3%±0.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±0.6 pts | 7.6% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7%±0.8 pts | 13.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±0.8 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±0.6 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.3%±1.4 pts | 40.6% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.2%±0.9 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±0.7 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 Strafford County earn?
Half of Strafford County's 52,080 households earn less than $88,570 a year (±$4,424), against $99,031 in New Hampshire. In 2015-2019 it was $89,791 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Strafford County | New Hampshire | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,570±$4,424 | $99,031 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $114,189±$2,980 | $128,322 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,304±$1,232 | $52,798 | +$2,490 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.7%±0.9 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.2%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.5%±1.0 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 Strafford County?
Owners occupy 67.1% of Strafford County's occupied homes and renters 32.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $362,800 by its owner (±$7,889). The median renter pays $1,488 a month including utilities, and 41.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Strafford County | New Hampshire | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $362,800±$7,889 | $402,500 | +$72,479 |
| Median gross rent | $1,488±$47 | $1,491 | +$145 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.3%±3.3 pts | 38.4% | +5.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,330±$44 | $2,367 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.1%±1.5 pts | 72.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 56,609±132 | 648,472 | +2,726 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1%±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.0%±1.5 pts | 63.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.2%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.8%±1.4 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 Strafford County building?
Builders took permits for 450 new housing units across Strafford County in 2025 (260 single-family), 3.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Strafford County get to work?
71.6% of Strafford County's workers drive alone and 16.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Strafford County | New Hampshire | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.9%±1.1 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.6 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.6%±1.5 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0%±0.8 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.2%±1.2 pts | 16.8% | +11.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.0 min±1.0 | 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 Strafford County's census tracts?
Strafford County is divided into 30 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $55,029 (Tract 870.01) to $160,781 (Tract 801).
All 30 census tracts of Strafford County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Strafford County compare with New Hampshire's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 10 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 2nd of 10 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 10 |
| Median household income | 5th of 10 |
| Median home value | 6th of 10 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 10 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 10 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 10 |
| Median age | 10th of 10 |
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 Strafford 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.