Overview

Stark is a small North Country town in Coos County along the Upper Ammonoosuc River, known for its picturesque covered bridge framed by a small white church. The town's remote, forested setting reflects the sparse population typical of the region.

The Ammonoosuc River offers fishing and paddling, while Stark's proximity to Groveton and Berlin provides access to regional services. The town's small population keeps development minimal.

Housing in Stark remains among the most affordable in the state, drawing outdoor enthusiasts and value-seekers who want remote, scenic North Country living.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Scenic covered bridge
  • River access
  • Very affordable
  • Rural character

Cons

  • Very remote
  • Limited jobs
  • Harsh winters

Cost of Owning Here

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

2025 Local Tax Rate
$11.81
per $1,000 assessed value
2025 Effective (Equalized) Rate
$11.34
Equalization ratio: 96%
Municipal
$1.99
Local School
$5.61
State Education
$1.07
County
$3.14

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$11.81$11.34$1.99$5.61$1.07$3.14

Source: NH DRA

Example Tax Bills for 2025

Home ValueEstimated Annual TaxEstimated Monthly
$250,000$2,953$246
$350,000$4,134$345
$500,000$5,905$492
$750,000$8,858$738
$1,000,000$11,810$984

Estimates calculated using the 2025 local tax rate of $11.81 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
75.1°F
Winter Avg High
29.9°F
Annual Snowfall
86 in
Annual Rainfall
49.2 in
Sunny Days/Year
241
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/4/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
186 mi
~230 min drive
Manchester
136 mi
~172 min drive
Portsmouth
133 mi
~219 min drive
Concord
118 mi
~151 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Recreation & Outdoors

Outdoor Recreation Score
58/100
Trail Miles
49.3
0
Boat Launches
4
State Parks
4
0

Winter & Camping

Snowmobile Trails:24 miles
XC Ski Trails:0 miles
Campgrounds:4

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$55,500
Per Capita Income
$27,048
Median Family Income
$78,750

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$171,000
Homeownership Rate
88.78%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
11.17%
In Labor Force
206

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
5.48%
Total with Degree
20

👥Demographics

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

Compare Stark with Other Towns

See how Stark stacks up against other NH communities.