Jefferson

Coos CountyNorth CountryPopulation: 1,043

Overview

Jefferson sits in Coos County at the northern edge of the Presidential Range, offering some of the most expansive mountain views in the White Mountains. The town's rural character and elevated setting give it a distinctive North Country feel.

Jefferson's proximity to Bretton Woods, Santa's Village, and the Mount Washington Auto Road makes it a base for family-oriented White Mountains tourism. The town's small commercial center serves both residents and visitors.

Housing in Jefferson remains affordable relative to towns closer to North Conway, drawing families, retirees, and second-home buyers who want mountain views without premium prices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Mountain views
  • Affordable
  • Family attractions
  • Scenic beauty

Cons

  • Remote location
  • Seasonal economy
  • Harsh winters

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$21.66
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$12.30
Equalization ratio: 57%
Municipal
$3.34
Local School
$12.70
State Education
$1.66
County
$3.96

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$21.66$12.30$3.34$12.70$1.66$3.96

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$5,415$451
$350,000$7,581$632
$500,000$10,830$903
$750,000$16,245$1,354
$1,000,000$21,660$1,805

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $21.66 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
73.8°F
Winter Avg High
29.2°F
Annual Snowfall
80.8 in
Annual Rainfall
49.2 in
Sunny Days/Year
242
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/4/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
165 mi
~197 min drive
Manchester
115 mi
~140 min drive
Portsmouth
157 mi
~189 min drive
Concord
97 mi
~119 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
45/100
Trail Miles
56.0
0
State Parks
1
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:38 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:1

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$63,765
Per Capita Income
$42,211
Median Family Income
$69,514

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$271,600
Median Rent
$731/mo
Homeownership Rate
87.73%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
2.82%
In Labor Force
497

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
26.9%
Total with Degree
216

👥Demographics

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

Compare Jefferson with Other Towns

See how Jefferson stacks up against other NH communities.