New Hampshire’s popularity continues to grow, bringing new investment and workforce to the state following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most notably, population increases were seen in each of the state’s 10 counties, according to data analyzed by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA).
Between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, New Hampshire added 24,525 people, or 1.78%. Nationally, the population grew at just over 1 percent to 3.5 million added, while Maine led population growth in northern New England, at 2.39 percent. Vermont’s growth was at .68 percent and Massachusetts’ growth declined by .45 percent, as 31,534 people left the state.
“Traditionally our population growth has occurred along the Massachusetts border, but we are now seeing growth in our rural communities to the north and west as well,” said BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “This is great news for community revitalization efforts and for employers looking for workforce.”
Rockingham County gained the most population of the state’s 10 counties, with 8,811 people, to 322,987. Neighboring Hillsborough County, which, at 430,773, has the state’s largest population, gained 7,836 people. Strafford County added 2,186 people, bringing its population to 133,075.
The fastest growing town in the state, at 8.78 percent, is Merrimack, in Hillsborough County, which added 2,339 people, followed by Hillsborough County’s Londonderry, adding 1,708, and Salem, adding 1,606.
In terms of percentage growth, three regions that have long drawn vacationers saw their population increase. Grafton County, with a population of 93,982, grew by 2.27 percent, adding 2,066 people. Carroll County, with a population of 51,083 straddling the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, rose 1,108 for a population increase of 2.22 percent, and Belknap County, located in the Lakes Region with a population of 65,021, grew by 2.07 percent, to 65,021.
“With continued investment in affordable housing and high-speed internet access, we expect to see these trends continue,” Caswell said, “and with proper planning, we can continue to welcome new residents and not impact our quality of life.”
Numbers in the remaining counties included Sullivan County, adding 583 people; Merrimack County, 291 people; Coos County, adding 288 people, and Cheshire County, adding 32 people.
BEA’s Office of Planning and Development (OPD) is the state’s primary planning organization, and among other duties, regularly tracks population statistics. OPD methodology uses permits issued for new dwellings into estimated population.
The 2023 population report is available here.