Hanover sits along the Connecticut River in Grafton County and is best known as the home of Dartmouth College, one of the original Ivy League institutions. The town's identity is deeply intertwined with the college, from its Georgian-style green ringed by academic buildings to the steady rhythm of the academic calendar.

Beyond the college, Hanover anchors a significant regional healthcare and research economy, led by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Health, one of northern New England's largest employers. The compact downtown offers independent bookstores, restaurants, and a year-round calendar of lectures, concerts, and Ivy League athletics that draws visitors from across the Upper Valley.

Hanover's population swells with students during the academic year and includes a mix of faculty, healthcare professionals, and long-time residents drawn to its strong schools and outdoor access, including the Appalachian Trail, which crosses directly through town. Housing costs run well above the regional average, reflecting steady demand from the college and hospital system.