Merrimack County · Lakes Region

Hill

Where a Whole Village Moved for Franklin Falls Dam

Part of the Franklin area

About Hill

Hill is a small town in Merrimack County with just over 1,000 residents, located in New Hampshire's lakes region. The community centers around Hill Village School and basic municipal services, maintaining the quiet character typical of rural New Hampshire towns. Students in the upper grades attend schools in the Franklin/Winnisquam School District, connecting Hill to the broader educational network in the area. The town's location provides access to the lakes region while remaining removed from busier tourist corridors. Hill offers the kind of rural living where neighbors know each other and town meetings still matter, with enough space for those seeking privacy on larger lots. The area attracts residents who prefer a slower pace and don't mind driving to nearby towns for shopping and services.

Why Hill?

Population under 1,100 provides genuine small-town atmosphere
Location in lakes region with access to recreational opportunities
Part of Franklin/Winnisquam School District (SAU 18)
Rural setting with larger lot sizes available
Lower population density than more developed lake towns

Quick Facts

Population

1,094

County

Merrimack

Region

Lakes Region

School District

SAU 18

Weather in Hill

44°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

57 / 26

Sun

64 / 38

Mon

62 / 40

Map

Living in Hill

What you need to know about making Hill your home.

Major Employers

Town of HillHill Village School

Schools & Education

Hill is part of the Franklin/Winnisquam School District (SAU 18).

Cost of Living

Housing costs are generally moderate for the lakes region, though property taxes follow typical New Hampshire patterns where local rates vary significantly. Rural location may mean lower land costs (est.) compared to lakefront communities.

Real Estate

$285,000 (est.) median home price

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

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Hill

Commute Times

1 hr 45 min

Boston

35 min

Concord

25 min

Laconia

15 min

Franklin

50 min

Manchester

School District

Regional district

Franklin/Winnisquam School District(SAU 18)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Franklin.

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

District towns

Franklin Tilton Northfield Sanbornton

Hill local school (Franklin/Winnisquam School District)

PreK-12Elementary

Regional high school (in Franklin) via Franklin/Winnisquam School DistrictTornadoes

PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Hill

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

Old Hill Village Ghost Town

year-round

The haunting remains of Hill's original village, relocated in 1941 for flood control. You can walk the ghost streets where historical markers tell the story of stores, hotels, and the railroad depot. The foundations and cellar holes are scattered throughout, and old sidewalk sections still peek through the undergrowth. It's a surreal experience stepping back in time to a community frozen in 1941.

Needle Brook Trail Mill Ruins

year-round

The extensive stone foundation of an old mill sits beside Needle Brook, with connecting cellar holes that once housed mill workers. The ruins are impressively large and you can explore the network of stone foundations that tell the story of Hill's industrial past. Ancient fruit trees still grow in the surrounding fields, carefully fenced to protect them from wildlife.

Hill Public Library Community Hub

year-round

This small-town library serves as the beating heart of Hill's community life. Every Tuesday features 'Dewey's Coffee Café' where locals gather to catch up over refreshments. The library hosts regular tie-dying classes, knitting circles, ukulele lessons, and even butterfly and bee information sessions. The staff knows everyone and the programming feels like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting of small-town America.