1st Advantage MortgageStrafford County households have a median income of $88,570 and median rent of $1,488 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Strafford County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Strafford County
- Work, industries and travel time in Strafford County
- Housing costs in Strafford County
- Strafford County towns compared
- Strafford County and the counties next door
- Strafford County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Strafford County borrowers
- A Strafford County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Strafford County
- Checking a lender's license in New Hampshire
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Strafford County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Strafford County's population at 132,575; only 3 of New Hampshire's 10 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 367 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 361 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Dover is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 33,364 people (25% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Strafford County
Half of Strafford County households take in less than $88,570 a year and half take in more, 11% below the New Hampshire median of $99,031. Only 4 New Hampshire counties post a higher median.
| Band | Strafford County | Compared with New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.3% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.1% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.7% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.9% | -2.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 46% of Strafford County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.7% of Strafford County residents in poverty, against 7.2% across New Hampshire. For a borrower in Strafford County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Strafford County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Strafford County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. Compared with New Hampshire, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (10% against 8%). The survey's unemployment rate for Strafford County averages 3.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.3%). Long commutes are the exception here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Strafford County | Difference from New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.4% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | +0.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Housing costs in Strafford County
A typical Strafford County rental runs $1,488 a month including utilities. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. Home values center on $362,800, or 4.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 67%.
| Strafford County | New Hampshire | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,488/mo | $1,491/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $362,800 | $402,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 28% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.2% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 14% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Strafford County towns compared
14 Census places fall mainly inside Strafford County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 121,195 residents, leaving about 9% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Madbury has the highest median household income on the list ($148,365) and Farmington the lowest ($55,029), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Strafford County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | city | 33,364 | $94,829 | $1,607 | 11 mi |
| Rochester | city | 33,144 | $80,836 | $1,369 | 3 mi |
| Somersworth | city | 12,111 | $74,504 | $1,477 | 8 mi |
| Durham | CDP | 10,681 | $112,070 | $1,302 | 12 mi |
| Barrington | town | 9,489 | $110,323 | $1,867 | 5 mi |
| Lee | town | 4,576 | $131,579 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Strafford | town | 4,306 | $122,105 | $1,635 | 7 mi |
| Farmington | CDP | 3,924 | $55,029 | $1,076 | 8 mi |
| New Durham | town | 2,748 | $100,194 | $1,417 | 13 mi |
| Rollinsford | town | 2,626 | $89,500 | $1,809 | 11 mi |
| Madbury | town | 2,203 | $148,365 | $1,574 | 9 mi |
| Middleton | town | 1,595 | $101,696 | $1,500 | 13 mi |
| Milton | CDP | 356 | $48,125 | $1,245 | 8 mi |
| Milton Mills | CDP | 72 | $250,001 | n/a | 15 mi |
Strafford County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Strafford County's, from 21 to 44 miles away. Rockingham County leads the group on income ($118,331), Carroll County trails ($86,463), and Strafford County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Maine. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Strafford County resident follows New Hampshire rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strafford County | - | $88,570 | $1,488/mo | 67% |
| York County, ME | 21 mi | $88,333 | $1,339/mo | 77% |
| Rockingham County, NH | 21 mi | $118,331 | $1,687/mo | 78% |
| Belknap County, NH | 25 mi | $92,783 | $1,167/mo | 80% |
| Merrimack County, NH | 32 mi | $97,004 | $1,360/mo | 73% |
| Carroll County, NH | 41 mi | $86,463 | $1,195/mo | 83% |
| Hillsborough County, NH | 44 mi | $103,545 | $1,623/mo | 67% |
Strafford County households compared
Degree holders: 39% of adults over 25. 5.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Strafford County | All of New Hampshire | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | 43.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.3% | 40.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | 5.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 5.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.2% | 16.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 7.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 3.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Strafford County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.0% |
What the numbers mean for Strafford County borrowers
A few patterns in the Strafford County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Higher earners. 46% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Renters under pressure. When 50% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
A Strafford County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Strafford County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Strafford County: $7,381
- 20% goes to median rent ($1,488)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,464 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Strafford County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Strafford County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Strafford County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Hampshire borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Checking a lender's license in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's New Hampshire license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: New Hampshire guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New Hampshire guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Strafford County household make?
About $88,570 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 11% below the New Hampshire median.
How much is rent in Strafford County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,488 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Strafford County?
By population: Dover, Rochester, Somersworth, Durham, Barrington. The county has 14 Census places in all.
Can Strafford County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every New Hampshire county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Strafford County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In New Hampshire it is the New Hampshire Banking Department.