Strafford is a rural town in Strafford County built around Bow Lake and surrounding forested hills. The town has no significant commercial center, relying on nearby Rochester and Dover for shopping and services.

Bow Lake provides swimming, fishing, and boating for residents, while the town's rural roads and low density preserve a quiet, agricultural character. Strafford's proximity to the Seacoast job market makes it a viable commuter town despite its rural feel.

Housing in Strafford tends toward larger lots and a mix of lake cottages and rural homes, drawing families and commuters who want lake access without the costs of more developed Lakes Region towns.