Strafford County, New Hampshire, boasts scenic landscapes and a rich historical heritage, providing numerous attractions and conveniences for both residents and visitors. Nevertheless, like any community, it grapples with its fair share of crime and violence.
Being the smallest county in New Hampshire in terms of area, Strafford County spans 384 square miles (990 km2), consisting of 369 square miles (960 km2) of land and 15 square miles (39 km2) of water. It shares borders with Carroll, York, Rockingham, Merrimack, and Belknap counties.
Comparison of Strafford County With Other Counties in New Hampshire
According to CrimeGrade.org, Strafford County received a D- grade for overall crime, indicating a level much higher than the average US county.
The county also earned a low grade for violent crime, with 1.682 incidents per 1,000 residents. In comparison to other counties in New Hampshire, Strafford County ranks 10th out of 10 for overall crime and 9th out of 10 for violent crime.
The safest county in New Hampshire is Grafton County, boasting an A+ grade for overall crime and a B+ grade for violent crime. On the other hand, the most perilous county in New Hampshire is Coos County, receiving an F grade for overall crime and a D grade for violent crime.
However, which neighborhoods within Strafford County pose the greatest risk? Based on the crime map and statistics from CrimeGrade.org, here are the top five areas you may want to avoid or approach with caution.
Rochester
Rochester, the most populous city in Strafford County, has a population exceeding 30,000. Unfortunately, it also holds the dubious distinction of being the most crime-ridden, recording 298.2 violent crimes and 3,095.8 property crimes per 1,000 residents in 2019.
The city’s elevated number of retail establishments might contribute to the heightened criminal activity. The southeastern part of Rochester appears to be particularly susceptible, with 786 reported incidents in a typical year.
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Somersworth
Somersworth, a petite city with approximately 11,000 residents, sits in close proximity to the Maine border. In 2019, it boasted a relatively low rate of violent crime, recording 125.2 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Contrastingly, the city faced a notable surge in property crime, registering 2,946.8 incidents per 1,000 residents during the same year. This heightened property crime rate could be linked to the city’s historical challenges of economic decline and social issues.
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Barrington
Barrington, located in the western part of the county, is a rural town with a population of approximately 8,600 people. In 2019, the town reported a low rate of violent crime, recording only 64.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.
On the contrary, Barrington experienced a surprisingly high rate of property crime during the same year, with 388.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. This elevated property crime rate may be attributed to the town’s extensive forested areas, which could potentially offer opportunities for burglaries and thefts.
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Rollinsford
Rollinsford, a quaint town with approximately 2,700 residents, is situated along the Salmon Falls River. In 2019, it experienced a moderate level of violent crime, recording 115.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Contrastingly, the town faced a notably high rate of property crime during the same year, with 656.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. The presence of both residential and industrial areas in Rollinsford could potentially attract diverse types of offenders.
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Madbury
Madbury, a town in Strafford County, is both the smallest and considered the most perilous, boasting a population of just 1,800. While it reports no incidents of violent crime, there’s a concerning surge in property crime, reaching a rate of 107.1 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2019.
The town’s abundance of open spaces and farmland potentially makes it susceptible to criminals targeting isolated properties.
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