Merrimack County · Merrimack Valley

Henniker

The Only Henniker on Earth

About Henniker

Henniker has the rare distinction of being the only town in the world with its name, and the locals wear that uniqueness proudly. The Contoocook River winds through the center of a walkable village where New England College students mix with longtime residents at coffee shops and the iconic Henniker Covered Bridge. Pats Peak ski area sits just minutes from downtown, making winter weekends effortless for families and snow lovers. In warmer months, the river draws kayakers and tubers, while the surrounding hills offer endless trail networks. Main Street has a genuine small-town energy — a general store, local eateries, and a community that shows up for Friday night football at John Stark. It feels like the kind of place where your barista knows your order and your neighbor plows your driveway without being asked.

Why Henniker?

Pats Peak ski area is literally five minutes from the village center
New England College brings cultural events, lectures, and a year-round youthful energy
The Contoocook River offers kayaking, tubing, and fishing right through town
Just 20 minutes to Concord for shopping and healthcare, 90 minutes to Boston
Tight-knit community with active town governance and strong volunteer culture

Quick Facts

Population

5,125

County

Merrimack

Region

Merrimack Valley

School District

SAU 24

Weather in Henniker

53°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

57 / 26

Sun

62 / 38

Mon

63 / 40

Map

Living in Henniker

What you need to know about making Henniker your home.

Major Employers

New England CollegePats Peak Ski AreaHenniker Community SchoolJohn Stark Regional High SchoolTown of Henniker

Schools & Education

Henniker Community School serves PreK through 8th grade locally, with students moving to John Stark Regional High School (shared with Weare) for grades 9-12.

Cost of Living

Median home prices around $318K make Henniker affordable by NH standards, though the property tax rate of $24.13 per thousand is above average due to school funding costs.

Real Estate

$317,600 median home price

$24.13 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Henniker

Commute Times

90 min

Boston

20 min

Concord

45 min

Manchester

School District

Regional district

John Stark Regional School District(SAU 24)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Weare.

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

District towns

Weare

Henniker Community School

PreK-8Elementary

John Stark Regional High SchoolGenerals

9-12High School

Hidden Gems in Henniker

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

Craney Hill Fire Tower

fall

This 1412-foot summit offers spectacular 360-degree views but is only accessible to the public four days per year in October during peak foliage season. The half-mile hike through a wide dirt road leads to a fire tower with commanding views of Mount Monadnock, the White Mountains, and nearby Craney Pond below. When you catch it on an open day, you'll feel like you've discovered one of southern New Hampshire's best-kept scenic secrets.

Old Number Six Book Depot

year-round

Housed in a massive two-story barn, this labyrinthine used bookstore contains over 160,000 volumes crammed into every conceivable nook and cranny. The owner personally guides visitors to obscure sections, and you'll find ladders, footstools, and chairs scattered throughout to help you reach the treasures stacked floor to ceiling. It's the kind of place where you enter planning to browse one section but get lost for hours in unexpected cubbyholes covering topics you never knew existed.