Kensington, New Hampshire
Rockingham County · Seacoast

Kensington

Sixteen Drumlins — Where Ice Age Glaciers Shaped the Hills

Part of the Exeter area

Visit Exeter guide

About Kensington

Kensington is a small residential town in Rockingham County with a population just over 2,000 residents. The town operates Kensington Elementary School as part of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, serving families in the seacoast region who value local elementary education before students transition to regional schools. The town maintains a rural character with residential neighborhoods spread across its boundaries. As part of New Hampshire's seacoast region, Kensington provides access to the broader amenities of Rockingham County while maintaining its small-town identity. The community is primarily residential, with town government and the elementary school serving as the main local institutions.

Why Kensington?

  • Part of Exeter Region Cooperative School District (SAU 16)
  • Small town atmosphere with population around 2,100
  • Located in seacoast region of Rockingham County
  • Rural residential character with local elementary school
  • Access to broader seacoast amenities while maintaining small-town feel

Quick Facts

Population
2,124
County
Rockingham
Region
Seacoast
School District
SAU 16

Weather in Kensington

43°F

Clear

Today

55 / 32

Sat

52 / 35

Sun

53 / 38

Map

Living in Kensington

What you need to know about making Kensington your home.

Major Employers

Town of KensingtonKensington Elementary School

Schools & Education

Kensington is part of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District (SAU 16).

Cost of Living

Housing costs are typical for Rockingham County's residential communities (est.). Property taxes reflect standard New Hampshire rates for the seacoast region (est.).

Real Estate

$425,000 (est.) median home price

$22.50 per $1,000 (est.) property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Kensington

Commute Times

1 hr 15 min
Boston
15 min
Exeter
45 min
Concord
25 min
Portsmouth

School District

Regional district

Exeter Region Cooperative School District(SAU 16)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Exeter.

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

Kensington local school (Exeter Region Cooperative School District)
PreK-12Elementary
Regional high school (in Exeter) via Exeter Region Cooperative School DistrictBlue Hawks
PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Kensington

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

Upper Yard Burial Ground

year-round

The oldest cemetery in Kensington, established in 1734 on donated land beside the historic Universalist Church. Stone walls enclose weathered 18th and 19th century headstones, some with beautiful carved death's heads and winged cherubs that tell stories of the town's earliest families. The cemetery was closed to new burials in the 1820s, preserving its authentic colonial character.

Union Meetinghouse/Universalist Church

year-round

A stunning 1839-1840 Greek Revival church with Gothic pinnacles added to its tower, creating an unusual architectural blend rarely seen in rural New Hampshire. The building stands empty but dignified, its original doorways flanked by sidelights and the interior largely unchanged since the Victorian era. Local preservation groups are working to save this National Register treasure.

Deer Sculpture at Sawyer Park

year-round

A whimsical metal sculpture of a buck deer frozen mid-cartwheel, its sparse antlers and gravity-defying pose creating an unexpectedly delightful surprise near the park's entrance. Made partly from found objects, this playful piece catches visitors off guard and has become a beloved local landmark that perfectly captures the spirit of this family-friendly community park.

Indian Ground Hill

year-round

At 305 feet, this glacial drumlin is Kensington's highest point and offers glimpses through the trees of distant New Hampshire hills. The quiet woodland summit sits on the border with South Hampton, accessible by local roads but rarely visited by anyone except locals who know its significance as the town's geographic crown jewel.

Kensington Social Library

year-round

A jewel box library built in 1895 with Queen Anne and Classical Revival details, featuring terra cotta trim and sandstone panels honoring its benefactor. The brick building stands out dramatically among Kensington's wooden structures, and its interior layout remains virtually unchanged from the Victorian era when it was designed to give patrons better access to books.

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