Dunbarton, New Hampshire
Merrimack County · Merrimack Valley

Dunbarton

Where 250 Years of Hog Reeves Meet Revolutionary Glory

Part of the Bow area

Visit Bow guide

About Dunbarton

Dunbarton is a small town in Merrimack County with a population of just under 3,000 residents. The town operates its own elementary school as part of the Bow/Dunbarton School District (SAU 67), serving local families before students transition to other schools in the district for higher grades. The rural character and lower population density distinguish it from more developed areas in the region. The town maintains a traditional New Hampshire small-town structure with local government services and community institutions. Residents here experience the practical realities of rural living, including longer drives to shopping and services, while benefiting from the space and quiet that comes with the territory. The location provides access to the broader Merrimack Valley region while maintaining its own distinct community identity.

Why Dunbarton?

  • Part of Bow/Dunbarton School District with local elementary school
  • Rural setting with lower population density than surrounding areas
  • Small-town government structure and community involvement
  • Access to Merrimack Valley region while maintaining rural character
  • Traditional New Hampshire town layout and local institutions

Quick Facts

Population
2,888
County
Merrimack
Region
Merrimack Valley
School District
SAU 67

Weather in Dunbarton

46°F

Clear

Today

55 / 31

Sat

56 / 35

Sun

59 / 37

Map

Living in Dunbarton

What you need to know about making Dunbarton your home.

Major Employers

Town of DunbartonDunbarton Elementary School

Schools & Education

Dunbarton is part of the Bow/Dunbarton School District (SAU 67).

Cost of Living

Housing costs (est.) reflect the rural Merrimack County market, typically requiring a moderate commute to reach major employment centers. Property taxes follow New Hampshire's local funding model for town services and schools.

Real Estate

$425,000 (est.) median home price

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

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Dunbarton

Commute Times

1 hr 30 min
Boston
45 min
Nashua
25 min
Concord
35 min
Manchester

School District

Regional district

Bow/Dunbarton School District(SAU 67)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Bow.

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

District towns

Dunbarton local school (Bow/Dunbarton School District)
PreK-12Elementary
Regional high school (in Bow) via Bow/Dunbarton School DistrictFalcons
PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Dunbarton

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

Lost Lake at Kuncanowet Town Forest

year-round

This small, remote beaver pond lives up to its name with pristine waters surrounded by forest silence. The 1.2-mile loop trail takes you past unique beaver dams at both ends of the lake, through rock formations and varied terrain. It's a hidden oasis where you might catch the flash of a great blue heron or spot beaver activity at dawn or dusk.

Stinson Mill Ruins

year-round

Deep in the Kuncanowet Forest stand the weathered stone foundations of two 18th-century mills - a shingle mill and an up-and-down sawmill. The carefully stacked boulder foundations are visible from a wooden footbridge, remnants of Dunbarton's industrial past when William Stinson operated these mills. The site feels like stumbling upon an ancient settlement in the woods.

Page's Corner Cemetery Slave Graves

year-round

In the northeast corner of this historic cemetery stand several unmarked fieldstones marking the graves of enslaved people who worked for Captain Caleb Page. These simple stones tell a powerful story often overlooked in New England history - believed to be the graves of Scipio Page, his wife, and three children who were later freed by Page.

Dunbarton Town Pound

year-round

This 1791 stone enclosure is a fascinating relic of colonial livestock management. Built 32 feet square and 6 feet high with walls 4 feet thick at the base, it housed stray animals until owners could claim them. The town still elects 'hog reeves' each year from newly married couples to ceremonially maintain this old tradition, complete with the playing of pig sounds at town meeting.

Molly Stark House

year-round

This private 1759 colonial home was the childhood residence of Elizabeth 'Molly' Page, who married Revolutionary War General John Stark. The house holds layers of history - their son Caleb was born here, and it later served as Dunbarton's first post office in 1834. Though not open for regular tours, it's marked by a historical sign and represents a tangible connection to New Hampshire's Revolutionary heritage.

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