Merrimack County · Merrimack Valley

Concord

Oldest State Capitol with Original Legislative Chambers

About Concord

Concord is New Hampshire's state capital and the seat of the largest state legislature in the country — 400 House representatives and 24 senators, all meeting under the gold-domed State House on Main Street, the oldest state capitol building in which a legislature still occupies its original chambers. Main Street itself is a walkable stretch of independent shops, restaurants, the Capitol Center for the Arts, and Red River Theatres, a nonprofit indie cinema that punches well above its weight. The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center honors Concord High teacher Christa McAuliffe, who was selected from over 11,000 applicants to be the first teacher in space, and Derry native Alan Shepard, the first American in space. Concord sits on the Merrimack River with easy access to hiking, and its central location — roughly equidistant from the Seacoast, the Lakes Region, and the White Mountains — was the whole reason it became the capital in the first place. The river provides a natural corridor through the city, and the surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor options without having to drive far. You can be on a trail or at a lake within minutes of downtown. The city has a quieter, more deliberate pace than Manchester or Nashua, attracting state workers, nonprofit professionals, and families who want a small-city life with real cultural offerings. It's the kind of place where you know your neighbors but still have access to good restaurants and live music, with the added benefit of being able to reach any corner of New Hampshire in under two hours.

Why Concord?

State capital with thousands of government jobs and no state income or sales tax
Concord Hospital Health System employs nearly 4,500 people, anchoring a strong healthcare sector
Walkable Main Street downtown with locally owned restaurants, shops, and the Capitol Center for the Arts
Central location: 20 minutes to Manchester, 75 minutes to Boston, easy access to Lakes Region and White Mountains
Strong public schools (SAU 8) plus St. Paul's School, a nationally ranked boarding school on a 2,000-acre campus

Quick Facts

Population

43,976

County

Merrimack

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 8

Weather in Concord

32°F

Clear

Today

59 / 28

Sun

64 / 38

Mon

61 / 40

Map

Living in Concord

What you need to know about making Concord your home.

Major Employers

State of New HampshireConcord Hospital Health SystemConcord School District / SAU 8Northeast Delta DentalCity of ConcordNHTI – Concord's Community CollegeSt. Paul's SchoolMerrimack CountyNorth Branch ConstructionNew Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange / Primex

Schools & Education

Concord School District (SAU 8) operates five elementary schools, Rundlett Middle School, and Concord High School. The city is also home to St. Paul's School, a nationally ranked Episcopal boarding school, Bishop Brady High School (Catholic), and NHTI – Concord's Community College.

Cost of Living

Concord's cost of living runs roughly 13% above the national average, driven primarily by housing and New England utility costs, though residents pay no state income tax and no sales tax. The median home sale price reached approximately $475,000 in mid-2025, and property tax bills average around $10,000 per year on a $350,000 assessed-value home.

Real Estate

$475,000 median home price

$29.11 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Concord

Commute Times

1 hr 15 min

Boston, MA

45 min

Nashua, NH

1 hr 5 min

Lebanon, NH

20 min

Manchester, NH

1 hr

Portsmouth, NH

School District

School district

Concord School District(SAU 8)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Abbot-Downing School

K-5Elementary

Beaver Meadow School

K-5Elementary

Broken Ground School

K-5Elementary

Christa McAuliffe School

K-5Elementary

Mill Brook School

K-5Elementary

Rundlett Middle School

6-8Middle School

Concord High SchoolCrimson Tide

9-12High School

St. Paul's School

9-12High School

Bishop Brady High School

9-12High School

NHTI – Concord's Community College

Post-secondaryCollege/University

Parks & Public Spaces

New Hampshire's 52 With A View - A Hiker's GuideTrail

PawskiesTown Park

Rollins ParkTown Park

White ParkTown Park

Hidden Gems in Concord

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

Oak Hill Fire Tower

year-round

This local favorite offers the perfect balance of a rewarding hike without being overwhelming, leading to a restored fire tower with panoramic views. The trail winds through dense oak forests on well-marked paths, and locals often make it their go-to evening walk since it's only 15 minutes from the State House. You can climb nearly to the top of the tower for sweeping views of the White Mountains, Ragged Mountain, and downtown Concord spread out below.

Contoocook River Park

spring

Hidden in Penacook village, this park holds the ghostly remnants of a once-grand Victorian amusement park that operated from 1893 to 1925. Easy riverside trails lead past foundations and old trolley beds where thousands once came by electric streetcar for dancing and river excursions. The rocky overlook called 'The Palisades' across the river creates dramatic scenery, and the trail through lady slipper patches feels like discovering a secret garden.

Pierce Manse

New Hampshire's only presidential home sits tucked away on a quiet lane, saved from demolition in 1971 by passionate locals. This intimate Greek Revival house where Franklin Pierce lived from 1842-1848 feels surprisingly personal, with period furnishings and the original kitchen fireplace discovered intact in the attic. The knowledgeable volunteer guides share both the tragic family stories and the political intrigue that shaped Pierce's presidency.

Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

year-round

This 2.5-mile stretch of smooth stone dust trail follows the old Claremont Branch railroad through a surprising mix of urban edges and wooded corridors. Starting from Fisherville Road, the path reveals railroad history through scattered ties and signal posts, while historical markers tell stories of steam engines and forgotten passenger routes. It's part of an ambitious 34-mile vision connecting six communities, making each section feel like you're walking through New Hampshire's transportation heritage.