The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Hampshire
Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 118 towns of 500–10,000 people in New Hampshire. #1 is Brookline, NH.
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25Sandown, New Hampshire
Better for families than 84% of New Hampshire towns
Sandown is a town of 6,548 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 90% of New Hampshire towns and more walkable than 82% of New Hampshire towns.
6,548 people · Rockingham County · median home $483,400 · income $135,040 · Jan low 15°F · 76 in snow
Full Sandown, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
24Litchfield, New Hampshire
Better for families than 84% of New Hampshire towns
Litchfield is a town of 8,478 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 87% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
8,478 people · Hillsborough County · median home $485,000 · income $162,036 · Jan low 14°F · 53 in snow
Full Litchfield, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
23Strafford, New Hampshire
Better for families than 85% of New Hampshire towns
Strafford is a town of 4,230 people in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 91% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 84% of New Hampshire towns.
4,230 people · Strafford County · median home $427,900 · income $122,105 · Jan low 15°F · 52 in snow
Full Strafford, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
22Fremont, New Hampshire
Better for families than 86% of New Hampshire towns

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Fremont is a town of 4,739 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 93% of New Hampshire towns and easier by car than 92% of New Hampshire towns.
4,739 people · Rockingham County · median home $416,900 · income $120,781 · Jan low 14°F · 57 in snow
Full Fremont, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
21Newton, New Hampshire
Better for families than 86% of New Hampshire towns
Newton is a town of 4,820 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 88% of New Hampshire towns and more walkable than 82% of New Hampshire towns.
4,820 people · Rockingham County · median home $459,500 · income $138,487 · Jan low 16°F · 62 in snow
Full Newton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
20Danville, New Hampshire
Better for families than 87% of New Hampshire towns
Danville is a town of 4,408 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks easier by car than 91% of New Hampshire towns and better for first-time buyers than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
4,408 people · Rockingham County · median home $437,600 · income $115,104 · Jan low 15°F · 76 in snow
Full Danville, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
19New Durham, New Hampshire
Better for families than 88% of New Hampshire towns
New Durham is a town of 2,693 people in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It also ranks easier by car than 98% of New Hampshire towns.
2,693 people · Strafford County · median home $339,400 · income $100,194 · Jan low 12°F · 61 in snow
Full New Durham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
18Goffstown, New Hampshire
Better for families than 88% of New Hampshire towns
Goffstown is a community of 3,366 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for cycling than 88% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
3,366 people · Hillsborough County · median home $415,300 · income $132,997 · Jan low 12°F · 58 in snow
Full Goffstown, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
17Gilmanton, New Hampshire
Better for families than 90% of New Hampshire towns

Photo: Unknown photographer (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Gilmanton is a town of 3,945 people in Belknap County, New Hampshire. It also ranks easier by car than 96% of New Hampshire towns and better for a vacation home than 94% of New Hampshire towns.
3,945 people · Belknap County · median home $363,700 · income $117,088 · Jan low 12°F · 66 in snow
Full Gilmanton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
16Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Better for families than 90% of New Hampshire towns
Hopkinton is a town of 5,914 people in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 94% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 91% of New Hampshire towns.
5,914 people · Merrimack County · median home $506,900 · income $137,477 · Jan low 13°F · 68 in snow
Full Hopkinton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
15Grantham, New Hampshire
Better for families than 91% of New Hampshire towns
Grantham is a town of 3,404 people in Sullivan County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 98% of New Hampshire towns and easier by car than 87% of New Hampshire towns.
3,404 people · Sullivan County · median home $343,100 · income $106,403 · Jan low 9°F · 70 in snow
Full Grantham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
14Chester, New Hampshire
Better for families than 91% of New Hampshire towns
Chester is a town of 5,232 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 100% of New Hampshire towns and better transit than 91% of New Hampshire towns.
5,232 people · Rockingham County · median home $552,300 · income $142,212 · Jan low 15°F · 76 in snow
Full Chester, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
13Northwood, New Hampshire
Better for families than 92% of New Hampshire towns
Northwood is a town of 4,641 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more of a college town than 95% of New Hampshire towns and better for a vacation home than 87% of New Hampshire towns.
4,641 people · Rockingham County · median home $363,000 · income $129,375 · Jan low 13°F · 54 in snow
Full Northwood, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
12Brentwood, New Hampshire
Better for families than 93% of New Hampshire towns
Brentwood is a town of 4,490 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New Hampshire towns and better transit than 96% of New Hampshire towns.
4,490 people · Rockingham County · median home $528,100 · income $165,509 · Jan low 14°F · 57 in snow
Full Brentwood, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
11Lee, New Hampshire
Better for families than 93% of New Hampshire towns
Lee is a town of 4,520 people in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 97% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 96% of New Hampshire towns.
4,520 people · Strafford County · median home $480,600 · income $131,579 · Jan low 14°F · 39 in snow
Full Lee, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
10Deerfield, New Hampshire
Better for families than 94% of New Hampshire towns
Deerfield is a town of 4,855 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 94% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 88% of New Hampshire towns.
4,855 people · Rockingham County · median home $421,000 · income $131,563 · Jan low 14°F · 55 in snow
Full Deerfield, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
9New Boston, New Hampshire
Better for families than 94% of New Hampshire towns
New Boston is a town of 6,108 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 89% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 78% of New Hampshire towns.
6,108 people · Hillsborough County · median home $481,100 · income $154,250 · Jan low 12°F · 60 in snow
Full New Boston, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
8Stratham, New Hampshire
Better for families than 95% of New Hampshire towns
Stratham is a town of 7,669 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 94% of New Hampshire towns.
7,669 people · Rockingham County · median home $655,400 · income $151,998 · Jan low 16°F · 65 in snow
Full Stratham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
7Hollis, New Hampshire
Better for families than 95% of New Hampshire towns
Hollis is a town of 8,342 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of New Hampshire towns and better for young professionals than 73% of New Hampshire towns.
8,342 people · Hillsborough County · median home $675,900 · income $168,883 · Jan low 14°F · 58 in snow
Full Hollis, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
6Mont Vernon, New Hampshire
Better for families than 97% of New Hampshire towns
Mont Vernon is a town of 2,584 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 90% of New Hampshire towns.
2,584 people · Hillsborough County · median home $526,300 · income $158,036 · Jan low 14°F · 57 in snow
Full Mont Vernon, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
5Bow, New Hampshire
Better for families than 97% of New Hampshire towns
Bow is a town of 8,229 people in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of New Hampshire towns.
8,229 people · Merrimack County · median home $506,500 · income $172,857 · Jan low 13°F · 68 in snow
Full Bow, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
4Dunbarton, New Hampshire
Better for families than 98% of New Hampshire towns
Dunbarton is a town of 3,005 people in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It also ranks easier by car than 92% of New Hampshire towns and more upscale than 87% of New Hampshire towns.
3,005 people · Merrimack County · median home $484,100 · income $124,348 · Jan low 12°F · 68 in snow
Full Dunbarton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
3Nottingham, New Hampshire
Better for families than 99% of New Hampshire towns
Nottingham is a town of 5,229 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 95% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
5,229 people · Rockingham County · median home $457,500 · income $122,201 · Jan low 14°F · 57 in snow
Full Nottingham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
2Auburn, New Hampshire
Better for families than 99% of New Hampshire towns
Auburn is a town of 5,946 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 96% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 95% of New Hampshire towns.
5,946 people · Rockingham County · median home $600,300 · income $153,253 · Jan low 13°F · 53 in snow
Full Auburn, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns. -
1Brookline, New Hampshire
Better for families than 100% of New Hampshire towns
Brookline is a town of 5,639 people in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of New Hampshire towns and more of a college town than 95% of New Hampshire towns.
5,639 people · Hillsborough County · median home $544,400 · income $171,046 · Jan low 14°F · 58 in snow
Full Brookline, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs New Hampshire towns.
Price vs ranking
More New Hampshire rankings
- The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New Hampshire
- The 25 Quietest Small Towns in New Hampshire
- The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in New Hampshire
- 25 Small Towns in New Hampshire With the Cheapest Homes
- 25 Small Towns in New Hampshire With the Mildest Winters
- The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in New Hampshire
- 25 Small Towns in New Hampshire With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Hampshire
- The 19 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in New Hampshire
Same ranking, other places
- The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Pennsylvania
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New York
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Michigan
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Texas
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Jersey
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Florida
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Wisconsin
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Ohio
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)