NH Town Guide

Find Your Perfect New Hampshire Town

Seacoast Region

Where the Atlantic meets New Hampshire — 18 miles of coastline, historic port cities, and vibrant communities.

45
Towns
328,332
Total Population

About Seacoast Region

The Seacoast region is New Hampshire's smallest but most densely populated area, stretching along 18 miles of Atlantic coastline from the Massachusetts border north to Maine. Despite its compact size, the region punches well above its weight in terms of economic activity, cultural amenities, and quality of life. Portsmouth, the region's anchor city, consistently ranks among the best small cities in America for its walkable downtown, thriving restaurant scene, and historic architecture dating back to the 1600s.

The economy here is diverse and resilient. The University of New Hampshire in Durham anchors a significant education and research sector, while the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard — technically in Kittery, Maine, but employing thousands of NH residents — provides stable defense industry jobs. The region also benefits from proximity to Boston's tech and finance sectors, with many residents commuting south while enjoying New Hampshire's lack of income and sales tax.

Housing in the Seacoast commands a premium compared to the rest of New Hampshire. Median home values in towns like Rye, New Castle, and Hampton Beach area communities reflect the desirability of coastal living. However, inland Seacoast towns like Exeter, Stratham, and Greenland offer more accessible price points while still providing easy access to the coast and major employment centers.

The outdoor lifestyle here is defined by water. Hampton Beach State Park draws millions of visitors annually, while Great Bay Estuary — one of the largest tidal estuaries in New England — offers world-class kayaking, birding, and shellfishing. The region's trail networks connect coastal marshes, historic farms, and conservation lands managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

For families, the Seacoast offers some of New Hampshire's strongest school districts. Exeter's Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the nation's premier prep schools, reflects the region's long tradition of educational excellence. Public schools in towns like Stratham, Exeter, and Newmarket consistently earn high marks, and the presence of UNH creates a college-town atmosphere that enriches the broader community.

Regional Highlights

Portsmouth: nationally recognized small city with vibrant arts and dining
Hampton Beach: iconic New England summer destination
Great Bay Estuary: premier kayaking and wildlife habitat
University of New Hampshire in Durham
No income or sales tax with Boston commute access
Phillips Exeter Academy and strong public schools

Towns in Seacoast Region

Dover

Strafford County • Pop. 32,741

Median Home
$369k
Median Income
$91k
familiesfirst time buyers+1
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Rochester

Strafford County • Pop. 32,492

Median Home
$238k
Median Income
$75k
first time buyersvalue seekers+1
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Portsmouth

Rockingham County • Pop. 21,956

Median Home
$594k
Median Income
$100k
young professionalsculture seekers+1
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Hampton

Rockingham County • Pop. 16,214

Median Home
$461k
Median Income
$93k
beach loversretirees+1
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Exeter

Rockingham County • Pop. 16,049

Median Home
$399k
Median Income
$88k
familieseducation focused+1
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Durham

Strafford County • Pop. 15,490

Median Home
$448k
Median Income
$98k
studentsacademics+1
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Somersworth

Strafford County • Pop. 11,855

Median Home
$266k
Median Income
$76k
first time buyersvalue seekers+1
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Newmarket

Rockingham County • Pop. 9,430

Median Home
$370k
Median Income
$98k
artistshistory lovers+1
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Barrington

Strafford County • Pop. 9,326

Median Home
$326k
Median Income
$103k
nature loversfamilies+1
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Hampstead

Rockingham County • Pop. 8,998

Median Home
$440k
Median Income
$107k
familiesnature lovers
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Seabrook

Rockingham County • Pop. 8,401

Median Home
$375k
Median Income
$86k
beach loversnature lovers+1
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Plaistow

Rockingham County • Pop. 7,830

Median Home
$370k
Median Income
$104k
familiesnature lovers
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Stratham

Rockingham County • Pop. 7,669

Median Home
$571k
Median Income
$127k
affluent familieseducation focused+1
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Epping

Rockingham County • Pop. 7,125

Median Home
$399k
Median Income
$97k
familiesnature lovers
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Atkinson

Rockingham County • Pop. 7,087

Median Home
$459k
Median Income
$138k
familiesnature lovers
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Farmington

Strafford County • Pop. 6,722

Median Home
$239k
Median Income
$61k
familiesnature lovers
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Sandown

Rockingham County • Pop. 6,548

Median Home
$375k
Median Income
$126k
familiesnature lovers
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Kingston

Rockingham County • Pop. 6,202

Median Home
$410k
Median Income
$90k
familiesnature lovers
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Auburn

Rockingham County • Pop. 5,946

Median Home
$480k
Median Income
$139k
familiesnature lovers
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Rye

Rockingham County • Pop. 5,543

Median Home
$876k
Median Income
$138k
affluent familiesbeach lovers+1
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Chester

Rockingham County • Pop. 5,232

Median Home
$451k
Median Income
$135k
familiesnature lovers
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Nottingham

Rockingham County • Pop. 5,229

Median Home
$375k
Median Income
$96k
familiesnature lovers
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Deerfield

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,855

Median Home
$363k
Median Income
$119k
familiesnature lovers
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Newton

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,820

Median Home
$385k
Median Income
$141k
familiesnature lovers
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Fremont

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,739

Median Home
$353k
Median Income
$122k
familiesnature lovers
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Northwood

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,641

Median Home
$343k
Median Income
$122k
familiesnature lovers
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North Hampton

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,538

Median Home
$596k
Median Income
$116k
familiesnature lovers
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Lee

Strafford County • Pop. 4,520

Median Home
$406k
Median Income
$116k
familiesnature lovers
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Brentwood

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,490

Median Home
$459k
Median Income
$154k
familiesnature lovers
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Milton

Strafford County • Pop. 4,482

Median Home
$247k
Median Income
$87k
familiesnature lovers
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Danville

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,408

Median Home
$355k
Median Income
$118k
familiesnature lovers
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Strafford

Strafford County • Pop. 4,230

Median Home
$364k
Median Income
$134k
familiesnature lovers
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Greenland

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,067

Median Home
$565k
Median Income
$144k
familiesnature lovers
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Candia

Rockingham County • Pop. 4,013

Median Home
$366k
Median Income
$117k
familiesnature lovers
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New Durham

Strafford County • Pop. 2,693

Median Home
$284k
Median Income
$97k
familiesnature lovers
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Rollinsford

Strafford County • Pop. 2,597

Median Home
$328k
Median Income
$81k
familiesnature lovers
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East Kingston

Rockingham County • Pop. 2,441

Median Home
$474k
Median Income
$115k
familiesnature lovers
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Hampton Falls

Rockingham County • Pop. 2,403

Median Home
$596k
Median Income
$152k
affluent familieseducation focused+1
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Kensington

Rockingham County • Pop. 2,095

Median Home
$514k
Median Income
$140k
familiesnature lovers
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Madbury

Strafford County • Pop. 1,918

Median Home
$457k
Median Income
$166k
familiesnature lovers
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Middleton

Strafford County • Pop. 1,823

Median Home
$245k
Median Income
$94k
familiesnature lovers
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Newfields

Rockingham County • Pop. 1,769

Median Home
$583k
Median Income
$185k
familiesnature lovers
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New Castle

Rockingham County • Pop. 1,000

Median Home
$1475k
Median Income
$164k
familiesnature lovers
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South Hampton

Rockingham County • Pop. 894

Median Home
$573k
Median Income
$151k
familiesnature lovers
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Newington

Rockingham County • Pop. 811

Median Home
$773k
Median Income
$156k
familiesnature lovers
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