Henniker

Merrimack Countyβ€’Merrimack Valleyβ€’Population: 6,185

Overview

Henniker is a small Merrimack Valley town in Merrimack County best known for being home to New England College, which gives the town an unusually lively energy for its size. The Contoocook River runs through the village center, crossed by one of the state's few remaining covered bridges still open to vehicle traffic.

Pats Peak ski area sits just outside town, providing winter recreation alongside the river's paddling and fishing opportunities. The walkable village center includes local cafes, shops, and college-oriented businesses that shift with the academic calendar.

Henniker's population includes a mix of long-time residents, college faculty and staff, and a rotating student population that drives seasonal demand for rental housing. Retail and grocery options remain limited, with many residents making regular trips to nearby Concord for larger shopping needs.

Pros & Cons

βœ“ Pros

  • β€’College town
  • β€’Ski access
  • β€’River recreation
  • β€’Covered bridge

βœ— Cons

  • β€’Limited retail
  • β€’Small grocery options
  • β€’Seasonal rentals

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$24.13
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$19.42
Equalization ratio: 81%
Municipal
$7.15
Local School
$13.97
State Education
$1.21
County
$1.80

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.

7-Year Tax Rate History

YearTotal RateEffective RateMunicipalLocal SchoolState Ed.County
2025$24.13$19.42$7.15$13.97$1.21$1.80
2024$25.20$21.92$6.80$14.20$1.60$2.60
2023$24.70$21.98$6.60$13.90$1.60$2.60
2022$24.10$21.93$6.40$13.50$1.60$2.60
2021$23.60$21.95$6.20$13.20$1.60$2.60
2020$23.20$22.04$6.10$12.90$1.60$2.60
2019$22.80$22.12$6.00$12.60$1.60$2.60

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$6,033$503
$350,000$8,446$704
$500,000$12,065$1,005
$750,000$18,098$1,508
$1,000,000$24,130$2,011

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $24.13 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
80.3Β°F
Winter Avg High
36.3Β°F
Annual Snowfall
61.6 in
Annual Rainfall
48.8 in
Sunny Days/Year
267
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5 β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
80 mi
~98 min drive
Manchester
30 mi
~40 min drive
Portsmouth
72 mi
~90 min drive
Concord
17 mi
~30 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMap β€’ Updated 7/3/2026

Safety & Crime

Safety Score
9/10
Crime Rate
6.32/1,000
Crime Trend
stable

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
45/100
Trail Miles
15.7
0
Boat Launches
9
State Parks
5
Ski Areas
1

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:4 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:5

Economy & Demographics

πŸ’°Income

Median Household Income
$76,681
Per Capita Income
$38,098
Median Family Income
$127,963

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$272,600
Median Rent
$765/mo
Homeownership Rate
64.46%

πŸ’ΌEmployment

Unemployment Rate
2.05%
In Labor Force
3,360

πŸŽ“Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.68%
Total with Degree
808

πŸ‘₯Demographics

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

Condo Communities in Henniker

one registered condo association β€” offering active low-maintenance living options.

Source: Merrimack County Audit - AI Discovery (data as of August 2026)

Compare Henniker with Other Towns

See how Henniker stacks up against other NH communities.