New Hampshire is one of the richest overall states in the country and is full of charming small towns. The average per-capita income in the Granite State was just over $70,000 in 2015, almost $15,000 more than the national average. In New Hampshire, just over 8 percent of the population lives below the poverty line of $23,830, compared with 15 percent nationally. However, even here, there are some areas where people are struggling to make ends meet. Here are the 12 poorest cities in New Hampshire, judging by the percentage of the population living below the poverty line:

  1. Ashuelot

Doug Kerr/flickr Picturesque Ashuelot is gorgeous, but here more than 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, the highest rate in New Hampshire. Of course, the tiny town only has a population of 317. Many of the small towns have a skewed rate of poverty because of the tiny population, so from here, we’ll look at cities with a population of at least 5,000. Ashuelot River, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Durham

Evgenil Vasilev/Google A few small towns separate Ashuelot and Durham on the poverty scale, but Durham is New Hampshire’s poorest city. With a population of nearly 17,000, about 17 percent live below the poverty line. Durham, NH 03824, USA

  1. Newport

Rick Kleopel/flickr Newport has a population of 7,649, and $16.33% of residents live below of the poverty line. Newport, NH 03773, USA

  1. Franklin

J. Steven Conn/flickr This old mill town has seen better days. Today, Franklin has a population of 8,476 and just over 16% of the population lives below the poverty line. Franklin, NH, USA

  1. Berlin

Jasperdo/flickr It may be one of the most physically beautiful places in the state, tucked in the White Mountains, but in Berlin, 14.5% of the population lives in poverty. Berlin, NH, USA

  1. Littleton

Jasperdo/flickr Littleton is simply stunning, but much of the industry that once defined the town has left, and not 14.5% of the population lives in poverty. Littleton, NH 03561, USA

  1. Plymouth

Alice Richmond/flickr This college town has 13% of its 9,000 residents living below the poverty line. Plymouth, NH 03264, USA

  1. Manchester

PSNH/flickr In New Hampshire’s most populous city, 12.9% of the population lives in poverty. Manchester, NH, USA

  1. Farmington

Erwin Deverre/flickr Farmington has almost exactly 5,000 residents, and 12.3% of them live below the poverty line. Farmington, NH, USA

  1. Claremont

Steve Wolfe/ Google This old mill town is still home to nearly 14,000 people, and 12.2% of the population lives in poverty. Claremont, NH, USA

  1. Keene

Doug Kerr/flickr 11.25% of Keene’s 25,000 residents live below the poverty line. Keene, NH, USA

  1. Somersworth

Kelly Wytock/flickr Somersworth has 11,400 residents, and 11.2% of them live below the poverty line. Somersworth, NH, USA

Researching New Hampshire towns? Check out the 10 best places to live in the Granite State.

Doug Kerr/flickr

Picturesque Ashuelot is gorgeous, but here more than 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, the highest rate in New Hampshire. Of course, the tiny town only has a population of 317. Many of the small towns have a skewed rate of poverty because of the tiny population, so from here, we’ll look at cities with a population of at least 5,000.

Ashuelot River, New Hampshire, USA

Evgenil Vasilev/Google

A few small towns separate Ashuelot and Durham on the poverty scale, but Durham is New Hampshire’s poorest city. With a population of nearly 17,000, about 17 percent live below the poverty line.

Durham, NH 03824, USA

Rick Kleopel/flickr

Newport has a population of 7,649, and $16.33% of residents live below of the poverty line.

Newport, NH 03773, USA

J. Steven Conn/flickr

This old mill town has seen better days. Today, Franklin has a population of 8,476 and just over 16% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Franklin, NH, USA

Jasperdo/flickr

It may be one of the most physically beautiful places in the state, tucked in the White Mountains, but in Berlin, 14.5% of the population lives in poverty.

Berlin, NH, USA

Littleton is simply stunning, but much of the industry that once defined the town has left, and not 14.5% of the population lives in poverty.

Littleton, NH 03561, USA

Alice Richmond/flickr

This college town has 13% of its 9,000 residents living below the poverty line.

Plymouth, NH 03264, USA

PSNH/flickr

In New Hampshire’s most populous city, 12.9% of the population lives in poverty.

Manchester, NH, USA

Erwin Deverre/flickr

Farmington has almost exactly 5,000 residents, and 12.3% of them live below the poverty line.

Farmington, NH, USA

Steve Wolfe/ Google

This old mill town is still home to nearly 14,000 people, and 12.2% of the population lives in poverty.

Claremont, NH, USA

11.25% of Keene’s 25,000 residents live below the poverty line.

Keene, NH, USA

Kelly Wytock/flickr

Somersworth has 11,400 residents, and 11.2% of them live below the poverty line.

Somersworth, NH, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Live In New Hampshire December 31, 2022 William Suphan What are the quietest towns in New Hampshire? The quietest towns in New Hampshire include:

Gorham. This town is situated near the top of the White Mountains and is full of wildlife and rustic charm. Troy. Nestled at the base of Mount Monadnock, this serene little town is a place where time seems to stand still. Goshen. Not only is this town peaceful and quaint, but it’s also quite picturesque with old-fashioned buildings and lots of nature. Benton. With barely 300 people, this is a great place to get peace and quiet and enjoy the farmland and hiking trails.

Find out more about the quietest towns in New Hampshire.  What are the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire? The most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire include:

Meredith. Located next to Lake Winnipesaukee, this lovely town is a favorite for tourists to find some small-town charm. Hancock. With historical buildings and an old-fashioned covered bridge, this little town is picture-perfect. Portsmouth. This coastal town has lovely architecture, an active port, and great restaurants. Hanover. This little town is full of old brick buildings, excellent restaurants, and green hills, making it an idyllic small town.

Discover more about the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire.  What are the coolest small towns in New Hampshire? The coolest small towns in New Hampshire include:

Sugar Hill. While this is a tiny town, it’s gorgeous and full of beautiful flowers and fields and has a charm that’s undeniable. Littleton. This little town borders the Connecticut River and the Ammonoosuc River and has a candy shop with the world’s longest candy counter. Plymouth. This is a college town with quaint shops, old movie theaters, and tons of outdoor activities. Peterborough. What could be cooler than an old artist colony that’s been around since 1901?

Learn more about the coolest small towns in New Hampshire. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Live In New Hampshire

December 31, 2022

William Suphan

What are the quietest towns in New Hampshire? The quietest towns in New Hampshire include:

Gorham. This town is situated near the top of the White Mountains and is full of wildlife and rustic charm. Troy. Nestled at the base of Mount Monadnock, this serene little town is a place where time seems to stand still. Goshen. Not only is this town peaceful and quaint, but it’s also quite picturesque with old-fashioned buildings and lots of nature. Benton. With barely 300 people, this is a great place to get peace and quiet and enjoy the farmland and hiking trails.

Find out more about the quietest towns in New Hampshire.  What are the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire? The most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire include:

Meredith. Located next to Lake Winnipesaukee, this lovely town is a favorite for tourists to find some small-town charm. Hancock. With historical buildings and an old-fashioned covered bridge, this little town is picture-perfect. Portsmouth. This coastal town has lovely architecture, an active port, and great restaurants. Hanover. This little town is full of old brick buildings, excellent restaurants, and green hills, making it an idyllic small town.

Discover more about the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire.  What are the coolest small towns in New Hampshire? The coolest small towns in New Hampshire include:

Sugar Hill. While this is a tiny town, it’s gorgeous and full of beautiful flowers and fields and has a charm that’s undeniable. Littleton. This little town borders the Connecticut River and the Ammonoosuc River and has a candy shop with the world’s longest candy counter. Plymouth. This is a college town with quaint shops, old movie theaters, and tons of outdoor activities. Peterborough. What could be cooler than an old artist colony that’s been around since 1901?

Learn more about the coolest small towns in New Hampshire. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The quietest towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Gorham. This town is situated near the top of the White Mountains and is full of wildlife and rustic charm.
  • Troy. Nestled at the base of Mount Monadnock, this serene little town is a place where time seems to stand still.
  • Goshen. Not only is this town peaceful and quaint, but it’s also quite picturesque with old-fashioned buildings and lots of nature.
  • Benton. With barely 300 people, this is a great place to get peace and quiet and enjoy the farmland and hiking trails.

Find out more about the quietest towns in New Hampshire. 

What are the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire?

The most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Meredith. Located next to Lake Winnipesaukee, this lovely town is a favorite for tourists to find some small-town charm.
  • Hancock. With historical buildings and an old-fashioned covered bridge, this little town is picture-perfect.
  • Portsmouth. This coastal town has lovely architecture, an active port, and great restaurants.
  • Hanover. This little town is full of old brick buildings, excellent restaurants, and green hills, making it an idyllic small town.

Discover more about the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire. 

What are the coolest small towns in New Hampshire?

The coolest small towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Sugar Hill. While this is a tiny town, it’s gorgeous and full of beautiful flowers and fields and has a charm that’s undeniable.
  • Littleton. This little town borders the Connecticut River and the Ammonoosuc River and has a candy shop with the world’s longest candy counter.
  • Plymouth. This is a college town with quaint shops, old movie theaters, and tons of outdoor activities.
  • Peterborough. What could be cooler than an old artist colony that’s been around since 1901?

Learn more about the coolest small towns in New Hampshire.