Gorham

Coos Countyβ€’North Countryβ€’Population: 2,698

Overview

Gorham sits at the base of the Presidential Range in Coos County, serving as a northern gateway to Mount Washington and the surrounding White Mountains. The town's small downtown along Route 2 caters to hikers, skiers, and travelers passing through the mountains.

The Androscoggin River runs through Gorham, and the town's proximity to the Mount Washington Auto Road, Wildcat Mountain, and the Appalachian Trail makes it a popular base for outdoor recreation. A modest selection of shops and restaurants serves both residents and visitors.

Housing in Gorham remains affordable relative to resort towns further south in the White Mountains, drawing outdoor enthusiasts and residents who want mountain access without premium prices. The town's economy leans heavily on tourism and outdoor recreation.

Pros & Cons

βœ“ Pros

  • β€’Mountain access
  • β€’Affordable
  • β€’Hiking trails
  • β€’River access

βœ— Cons

  • β€’Seasonal economy
  • β€’Remote location
  • β€’Harsh winters

Cost of Owning Here

Official property tax rates published by the NH Department of Revenue Administration, plus estimated tax bills for Gorham.

2025 Local Tax Rate
$23.45
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$23.33
Equalization ratio: 100%
Municipal
$9.03
Local School
$10.92
State Education
$0.96
County
$2.54

Why "Effective Rate" is a better comparison

New Hampshire towns do not all assess property at the same percentage of market value. The state publishes an annual equalization ratio for every municipality showing how close local assessments are to full market value. A town that assesses homes at only 64% of market value will show an artificially high tax rate compared to a town that assesses at 100%. Multiplying the local rate by the equalization ratio produces an effective (equalized) rate that can be fairly compared across any two towns in the state.

YearTotal RateEffective RateMunicipalLocal SchoolState Ed.County
2025$23.45$23.33$9.03$10.92$0.96$2.54

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$5,863$489
$350,000$8,208$684
$500,000$11,725$977
$750,000$17,588$1,466
$1,000,000$23,450$1,954

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $23.45 per $1,000 of assessed value. Actual tax bills depend on your property's specific assessed value and any exemptions or credits you may qualify for.

Climate & Environment

Summer Avg High
75.8Β°F
Winter Avg High
31.5Β°F
Annual Snowfall
102 in
Annual Rainfall
53.1 in
Sunny Days/Year
257
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5 β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
178 mi
~216 min drive
Manchester
128 mi
~158 min drive
Portsmouth
109 mi
~175 min drive
Concord
110 mi
~138 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMap β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
52/100
Trail Miles
90.1
0
Boat Launches
3
State Parks
2
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:33 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:2

Economy & Demographics

πŸ’°Income

Median Household Income
$55,816
Per Capita Income
$38,571
Median Family Income
$84,744

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$139,900
Median Rent
$702/mo
Homeownership Rate
73.55%

πŸ’ΌEmployment

Unemployment Rate
1.51%
In Labor Force
1,393

πŸŽ“Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.29%
Total with Degree
340

πŸ‘₯Demographics

Median Age
53 years
Avg Household Size
1.96 people
Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year) β€’ Census Data Year: 2022 β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Compare Gorham with Other Towns

See how Gorham stacks up against other NH communities.