Hopkinton

Merrimack CountyMerrimack ValleyPopulation: 5,914

Overview

Hopkinton sits just west of Concord in Merrimack County, encompassing several distinct villages including Hopkinton Village and Contoocook. The town is best known for hosting the Hopkinton State Fair each Labor Day weekend, one of the state's longest-running agricultural fairs.

Contoocook village offers a walkable downtown along the Contoocook River, including a well-known covered railroad bridge, while the broader town retains significant farmland and conservation land. Hopkinton's proximity to Concord provides easy access to state government jobs and services.

Housing in Hopkinton ranges from historic village homes to newer rural subdivisions, drawing families and commuters who want small-town character within a short drive of Concord. The town's strong schools and agricultural fair contribute to a close-knit community identity.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Near Concord
  • Historic villages
  • Agricultural fair
  • Good schools

Cons

  • Limited services
  • Rural roads
  • Higher taxes

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$23.35
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$22.79
Equalization ratio: 98%
Municipal
$5.34
Local School
$15.36
State Education
$1.04
County
$1.61

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$23.35$22.79$5.34$15.36$1.04$1.61
2024$27.40$26.03$7.60$15.30$1.60$2.90
2023$26.90$25.82$7.40$15.00$1.60$2.90
2022$26.30$25.51$7.20$14.60$1.60$2.90
2021$25.80$25.28$7.00$14.30$1.60$2.90
2020$25.40$25.15$6.90$14.00$1.60$2.90
2019$25.00$25.00$6.80$13.70$1.60$2.90

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$5,838$487
$350,000$8,173$681
$500,000$11,675$973
$750,000$17,513$1,459
$1,000,000$23,350$1,946

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $23.35 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
80.2°F
Winter Avg High
35.8°F
Annual Snowfall
55.2 in
Annual Rainfall
48.4 in
Sunny Days/Year
266
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/3/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
73 mi
~86 min drive
Manchester
23 mi
~28 min drive
Portsmouth
64 mi
~78 min drive
Concord
8 mi
~18 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Safety & Crime

Safety Score
10/10
Crime Rate
4.4/1,000
Crime Trend
stable

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
50/100
Trail Miles
22.9
0
Boat Launches
13
State Parks
3
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:14 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:3

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$115,682
Per Capita Income
$63,420
Median Family Income
$138,603

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$377,700
Median Rent
$1,024/mo
Homeownership Rate
88.19%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
4.23%
In Labor Force
3,380
Work From Home
0.75%

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
25.4%
Total with Degree
1,098

🚗Commute

Work From Home
0.75%

👥Demographics

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

Condo Communities in Hopkinton

five registered condo associations — offering active low-maintenance living options.

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

Compare Hopkinton with Other Towns

See how Hopkinton stacks up against other NH communities.