Grantham

Sullivan County•Upper Valley•Population: 2,390

Families Rural Living Outdoor Enthusiasts Quiet Lifestyle

Overview

Grantham is a quiet rural town in Sullivan County, nestled in the Dartmouth–Lake Sunapee region of west-central New Hampshire. With a population of around 2,400, it offers a peaceful small-town lifestyle surrounded by forests, farms, and rolling hills. The town is known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and proximity to both Lake Sunapee and the Connecticut River Valley.

Life in Grantham moves at a relaxed pace. Residents enjoy wide-open spaces, country roads, and a tight-knit community where neighbors know each other by name. The town hosts an annual Old Home Day celebration and maintains active volunteer organizations. Commuting to Lebanon, Claremont, or even Concord is feasible for those who work in larger towns.

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

•Quiet rural setting with abundant natural beauty
•Strong community spirit and active town organizations
•Excellent K-12 school district (SAU 75)
•Close to Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee Resort
•Low crime rate and family-friendly environment

✗ Cons

•Limited shopping and dining options within town
•No public transportation; car required for everything
•Winter road maintenance can be challenging on rural routes
•Few employment opportunities locally; commuting necessary

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate

$19.90

per $1,000 assessed value

2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate

$13.85

Equalization ratio: 70%

Municipal

$4.08

Local School

$11.74

State Education

$1.40

County

$2.68

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.

Year	Total Rate	Effective Rate	Municipal	Local School	State Ed.	County
2025	$19.90	$13.85	$4.08	$11.74	$1.40	$2.68

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home Value	Estimated Annual Tax	Estimated Monthly
$250,000	$4,975	$415
$350,000	$6,965	$580
$500,000	$9,950	$829
$750,000	$14,925	$1,244
$1,000,000	$19,900	$1,658

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $19.90 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.

Open Full Calculator →Compare With Other Towns →View Statewide Rankings →

Climate & Environment

Summer Avg High

72°F

Winter Avg High

28°F

Annual Snowfall

65 in

Annual Rainfall

44 in

Sunny Days/Year

180

Data source: NOAA Climate Normals • Updated 7/7/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston

110 mi

~130 min drive

Manchester

75 mi

~85 min drive

Portsmouth

90 mi

~100 min drive

Concord

45 mi

~50 min drive

Data source: Walk Score / Google Maps • Updated 7/7/2026

Safety & Crime

Safety Score

8/10

Crime Rate

8.7/1,000

Crime Trend

stable

Data source: FBI UCR / NH State Police • Updated 7/7/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score

38/100

Trail Miles

51.6

Boat Launches

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:13 miles

XC Ski Trails:9 miles

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income

$89,500

Per Capita Income

$38,000

Median Family Income

$105,000

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value

$295,000

Median Rent

$1,100/mo

Homeownership Rate

83.9%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate

2.9%

In Labor Force

1,200

Work From Home

15%

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

30.1%

Total with Degree

720

🚗Commute

Median Commute Time

28 min

Work From Home

15%

👥Demographics

Median Age

44.2 years

Avg Household Size

2.57 people

Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year) • Census Data Year: 2022 • Updated 7/7/2026

Condo Communities in Grantham