Hancock

Hillsborough CountyMerrimack ValleyPopulation: 1,731

Overview

Hancock is a small Monadnock Region town in Hillsborough County, known for its well-preserved historic village center overlooking Norway Pond. The town's classic New England character has made it a popular subject for photographers and painters.

Norway Pond offers swimming and fishing close to downtown, while the surrounding hills provide hiking toward nearby Mount Monadnock. Hancock's small commercial center includes a historic inn and a handful of local businesses.

Housing in Hancock reflects its scenic, well-preserved character, drawing artists, retirees, and families seeking classic Monadnock Region charm.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Historic village
  • Pond access
  • Scenic beauty
  • Mountain proximity

Cons

  • Limited services
  • Small population
  • Remote location

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$27.07
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$15.86
Equalization ratio: 59%
Municipal
$8.98
Local School
$14.97
State Education
$1.56
County
$1.56

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$27.07$15.86$8.98$14.97$1.56$1.56

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$6,768$564
$350,000$9,475$790
$500,000$13,535$1,128
$750,000$20,303$1,692
$1,000,000$27,070$2,256

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $27.07 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
78°F
Winter Avg High
34.5°F
Annual Snowfall
63.4 in
Annual Rainfall
48.2 in
Sunny Days/Year
268
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
83 mi
~123 min drive
Manchester
32 mi
~67 min drive
Portsmouth
92 mi
~119 min drive
Concord
37 mi
~59 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Safety & Crime

Safety Score
10/10
Crime Rate
4.62/1,000
Crime Trend
stable

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
51/100
Trail Miles
35.6
0
Boat Launches
3
State Parks
3
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:8 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:3

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$88,611
Per Capita Income
$52,762
Median Family Income
$107,214

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$398,200
Median Rent
$1,045/mo
Homeownership Rate
85.12%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
2.66%
In Labor Force
939
Work From Home
0.11%

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.09%
Total with Degree
400

🚗Commute

Work From Home
0.11%

👥Demographics

Median Age
55.4 years
Avg Household Size
2.29 people
Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year)Census Data Year: 2022Updated 7/3/2026

Compare Hancock with Other Towns

See how Hancock stacks up against other NH communities.