New Hampshire is a state with many different kinds of people. In the 2020 census, it was found that the total number of people in the state increased by 4.6% since 2010, reaching a total of 1,377,529 people.
But, not all parts of the state grew at the same rate. Actually, five areas in the state had fewer people in the past ten years, and this was because of various reasons like social, economic, and environmental factors.
| County | 2010 Population | 2020 Population | Change (%) |
| Coos | 33,055 | 30,731 | -7.03 |
| Sullivan | 43,742 | 42,859 | -2.02 |
| Cheshire | 77,117 | 76,260 | -1.11 |
| Carroll | 50,991 | 50,794 | -0.32 |
| Grafton | 91,802 | 91,718 | -0.08 |
Coos County
Coos County is in the northern part of New Hampshire, near Canada and Vermont. It’s the biggest county in the state but has the fewest people per area. Around 30,731 people live there, and it’s 7.03% less than in 2010, the largest drop in all counties. This decline is mainly because of fewer job opportunities and a decrease in tourism.
The average age in Coos County is 46.9 years, which is the second-highest in the state and higher than the national average. The county also has a lower percentage of people working (58.7%) compared to the state average of 66.9%.
Read More: Exploring the 5 Counties in Illinois With the Most Rapid Population Decline
Sullivan County
Sullivan County, situated in the western part of the state and next to Vermont, had the second-largest drop in percentage of people. Since 2010, its population went down by 2.02%, going from 43,742 to 42,859. The county also has the second-lowest number of people per square mile in the state, with 80 residents on average.
Read More: Exploring the 5 Counties in New Mexico With the Most Rapid Population Decline
Grafton County
Grafton County is in the middle of New Hampshire, next to Vermont. Dartmouth College, a prestigious Ivy League school, is located there. About 88,658 people live in Grafton County, which is 1.69% less than in 2010.
The average age in the county is 43.6 years, higher than the national average of 38.4 years. Living in Grafton County is more expensive, with a cost of living index of 107.8 compared to the national average of 100. Additionally, the county has a low birth rate of 8.4 per 1,000 people, while the state average is 9.4 and the national average is 11.6.
Read More: Exploring the 5 Counties in Alaska With the Most Rapid Population Decline
Carroll County
Carroll County is in the eastern part of New Hampshire, next to Maine. It’s famous for its beautiful scenery, with the White Mountain National Forest and Lake Winnipesaukee. About 46,894 people live there, which is a bit less than in 2010.
The average age in the county is 51.9 years, the highest in the state and much higher than the national average of 38.4 years. Homes are not very affordable, with an index of 2.9, compared to the state average of 3.6 and the national average of 4.0.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Poorest City in Texas
Cheshire County
Cheshire County is in the southwest part of New Hampshire, near Vermont and Massachusetts. Keene State College, a public liberal arts college, is located there. The county has about 75,825 people, slightly less than in 2010.
People in Cheshire County are, on average, older than the national average. The median age is 44.7 years, while the national average is 38.4 years.
The county also has fewer people with higher education, with a rate of 29.9%, compared to 36.7% for the state and 32.1% nationally. Additionally, the median household income is lower at $59,878, compared to the state average of $77,933 and the national average of $62,843.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Healthiest Place to Live in Louisiana
Conclusion
New Hampshire has a mix of people, but not all parts of the state are growing at the same rate. In the last ten years, five counties—Coos, Sullivan, Grafton, Carroll, and Cheshire—saw fewer people living there.
This happened for different reasons like social, economic, and environmental factors. These counties deal with challenges, like having more older people.
