Chatham occupies a remote corner of Carroll County where the White Mountain National Forest dominates the landscape. With just 337 residents, this small community exists primarily within federal forest boundaries, making it one of New Hampshire's most sparsely populated towns. The town operates with minimal infrastructure, relying on the Conway School District for education and maintaining basic municipal services. Daily life here revolves around the realities of living deep in the mountains, where winter access can be challenging and many properties are seasonal camps or cabins. The White Mountain National Forest provides the economic backbone through federal employment and serves as the primary reason most people know of Chatham's existence. Those who call it home year-round tend to value extreme privacy and self-sufficiency over convenience.

Why Chatham?

Surrounded by White Mountain National Forest on most sides
One of New Hampshire's most sparsely populated communities
Direct access to backcountry hiking and wilderness areas
Minimal development and maximum privacy
Part of Conway School District despite remote location

Quick Facts

Population

337

County

Carroll

Region

White Mountains

School District

SAU 9

Weather in Chatham

77°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

81 / 66

Fri

80 / 62

Sat

83 / 59

Map

Living in Chatham

What you need to know about making Chatham your home.

Major Employers

Town of ChathamConway School DistrictWhite Mountain National Forest

Schools & Education

Chatham is part of the Conway School District (SAU 9).

Cost of Living

Housing costs (est.) reflect the remote location and limited inventory, with many properties being seasonal camps. Property taxes are moderate for New Hampshire standards, though municipal services are minimal given the small population and challenging terrain.

Real Estate

$275,000 (est.) median home price

$18.50 per $1,000 (est.) property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Chatham

Commute Times

45 min

Berlin

3 hr 30 min

Boston

30 min

Conway

2 hr 15 min

Concord

25 min

North Conway

School District

Regional district

Conway School District(SAU 9)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Conway.

Chatham serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Conway Bartlett Jackson Madison Albany Eaton Harts Location

Chatham local school (Conway School District)

PreK-12Elementary

Regional high school (in Conway) via Conway School District

PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Chatham

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

Basin Pond and Basin Trail to Hermit Falls

summer

This 25-acre glacial pond sits in a dramatic cirque amphitheater surrounded by towering cliffs that rise over 2,000 feet from the valley floor. The pond itself offers quiet swimming and canoeing, while the 2.8-mile Basin Trail leads to Hermit Falls, a beautiful 30-foot horsetail waterfall cascading through a moss-lined ravine. What makes this special is the complete sense of wilderness solitude - you might hear loons calling or see blue herons fishing, but you won't find crowds here like at the more famous White Mountain destinations.

Cold River Camp and Evans Notch Area

summer

This Appalachian Mountain Club camp has been welcoming hikers since 1919, offering rustic cabin accommodations and family-style meals in what feels like a mountain home away from home. The camp sits in the heart of Evans Notch, the easternmost and least-traveled of the White Mountain passes, surrounded by over 30 hiking trails maintained by the Chatham Trails Association. The intimate scale and multi-generational families returning year after year create a unique community atmosphere that you simply can't find at commercial resorts.