Hillsborough County · Monadnock Region

Bennington

Great Falls of the Contoocook & America's Oldest Paper Mill

About Bennington

Bennington is a small rural town in southwestern New Hampshire that maintains its agricultural character while serving as a quiet residential community. The town covers about 11 square miles and features a mix of working farms, wooded areas, and modest residential neighborhoods along its rural roads. With no major commercial center, residents rely on neighboring towns for most services and shopping, though the town maintains its own elementary school and basic municipal services.

Why Bennington?

Affordable rural living with larger lot sizes and privacy
Strong sense of small-town community with low crime rates
Access to outdoor recreation in the Monadnock region
Lower property taxes compared to more developed NH towns
Quiet residential setting while still accessible to Keene and Peterborough

Quick Facts

Population

1,517

County

Hillsborough

Region

Monadnock Region

School District

SAU 1

Weather in Bennington

44°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

46 / 34

Thu

58 / 36

Fri

54 / 31

Map

Living in Bennington

What you need to know about making Bennington your home.

Major Employers

Town of BenningtonBennington Elementary SchoolMonadnock Paper Mills

Schools & Education

Bennington Elementary serves local students through grade 6, after which students typically attend middle and high school in neighboring districts within SAU 1.

Cost of Living

Housing costs are generally lower than state averages, with property taxes remaining reasonable for the region. The rural setting and smaller lot restrictions make it an affordable option for those seeking country living in southern New Hampshire.

Real Estate

$285,000 median home price

$18.50 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Bennington

Commute Times

25 min

Keene

45 min

Nashua

50 min

Manchester

15 min

Peterborough

School District

Regional district

Contoocook Valley School District(SAU 1)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Peterborough.

District towns

Peterborough Dublin Hancock Sharon Greenfield Francestown Antrim

Bennington Elementary School

K-6Elementary

Hidden Gems in Bennington

Beyond the well-known attractions, Bennington has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Whittemore Lake

summer

A peaceful 41-acre lake perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming, accessible only by non-motorized boats. The quiet oasis offers excellent fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. With a public access point on the northeastern shore, it's a serene escape that locals cherish for its tranquil waters and woodland setting.

Powder Mill Pond Eagle Watching

year-round

This broad impoundment of the Contoocook River holds a secret - an active bald eagle nest on a tall pine on the northern point of a wooded island. The pond straddles Hancock and Bennington, offering excellent wildlife viewing from kayak or the Route 202 boat launch. Historic railroad tracks line the shore, adding to the atmosphere of this hidden birding gem.

Great Falls Historic Mill Sites

year-round

Walk along the Contoocook River through Bennington's village center to discover the remnants of America's oldest continuously operating paper mill and historic dam sites. The river drops 70 feet over 1.2 miles, creating the 'Great Falls' that powered mills since 1782. You'll see stone foundations, old worker housing, and the still-operating Monadnock Paper Mill.