Grafton County · Dartmouth–Lake Sunapee

Lebanon

Home to New Hampshire's Only Academic Medical Center

About Lebanon

Lebanon is the commercial engine of the Upper Valley, the bi-state region straddling the Connecticut River where New Hampshire meets Vermont. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, which relocated to a 225-acre campus in Lebanon in 1991, is the largest employer in the region and has pulled a cluster of biotech and medical device companies into its orbit — Novo Nordisk and others maintain operations nearby. The city was chartered on July 4, 1761, one of sixteen towns Governor Benning Wentworth established along the Connecticut River that same day, and it was named by settlers who came from Lebanon, Connecticut. Downtown has undergone a steady revival around Colburn Park, with locally owned restaurants, a food co-op, and the Lebanon Opera House hosting live performances in a restored 1924 building. When residents want to catch a movie, Entertainment Cinemas in West Lebanon provides multiple screens showing current releases, serving the broader Upper Valley region. The Mascoma River joins the Connecticut here, and the Northern Rail Trail — a 60-mile converted rail bed — passes through town, connecting Lebanon to Boscawen for biking and cross-country skiing. Unlike the academic enclave of Hanover next door, Lebanon functions as the place where Upper Valley residents actually do their shopping, see their doctors, and catch flights out of the small but convenient Lebanon Municipal Airport. It's the practical heart of the region where people take care of business and daily life.

Why Lebanon?

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center — NH's largest private employer with ~10,000 workers
Growing biotech and tech sector with companies like Adimab and FUJIFILM Dimatix
Adjacent to Dartmouth College in Hanover — world-class cultural and academic resources
Access to skiing, hiking, and Upper Valley outdoor recreation year-round

Quick Facts

Population

14,282

County

Grafton

Region

Dartmouth–Lake Sunapee

School District

SAU 88

Weather in Lebanon

51°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

58 / 30

Sun

62 / 41

Mon

66 / 45

Map

Living in Lebanon

What you need to know about making Lebanon your home.

Major Employers

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical CenterFUJIFILM DimatixAdimabTimken AerospaceTomTomCity of LebanonLebanon School District

Schools & Education

Lebanon School District (SAU 88) operates four schools serving roughly 1,800 students. The district benefits from its proximity to Dartmouth College and DHMC resources.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is moderate for the Upper Valley, with housing costs driven up by demand from DHMC and Dartmouth employees. No state income or sales tax.

Real Estate

$457,000 median home price

$21.53 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Lebanon

Commute Times

65 min

Concord

5 min

Hanover

50 min

Burlington VT

School District

School district

Lebanon School District(SAU 88)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Mount Lebanon Elementary School

PK-2Elementary

Hanover Street School

3-5School

Lebanon Middle School

6-8Middle School

Lebanon High SchoolRaiders

9-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

Colburn ParkTown Park

Hidden Gems in Lebanon

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

Farnum Hill Reserve

year-round

Lebanon's largest conservation area with over 860 acres and 7 miles of trails winding through mixed forest and three distinct summits. The reserve features the historic King's Highway trail dating to colonial times and offers glimpses of Mount Ascutney through power line cuts. Locals love the Ron Bailey Trail and the end-to-end hike that takes about two hours, passing specimen trees like 'Big Red' - a massive red oak over 16 feet in circumference.

True's Brook Gorge

summer

A dramatic 50-foot gorge with waterfalls and deep swimming pools that locals have cherished for generations. The rushing water creates a thunderous roar as it cascades over granite ledges into emerald pools perfect for cooling off. The rocks are beautifully sculpted but extremely slippery, and the current can be fierce despite the narrow channels. Three scenic overlooks provide stunning views of the cascades.

Signal Hill

year-round

This 220-acre conservation area climbs through open meadows to a summit that once served as part of the Revolutionary War signal fire network warning of British troops. The trail passes through two fields before entering woods, offering views of Mount Ascutney, Croydon Mountain, and Vermont peaks. Old stone walls and remnants of copper mining tell stories of the hill's farming and industrial past.

Boston Lot Conservation Area

year-round

A hidden 436-acre wilderness surrounding a pristine 45-acre lake that once supplied Lebanon's water. Seven miles of trails wind through granite-studded terrain to Burnt Mountain's spectacular viewpoint and around the lake's peaceful shores. The area offers backcountry camping by permit and is popular with locals for its challenging mountain bike trails and the swimming opportunities in the clear, deep lake.

Packard Hill Covered Bridge

year-round

Built in 1991 to replace bridges dating back to Ichabod Packard's original 1780s crossing, this scenic covered bridge spans the Mascoma River with both vehicle and pedestrian access. Unlike typical tourist bridges, it features a separate covered walkway for pedestrians and connects directly to the Northern Rail Trail. The surrounding Baker's Crossing Conservation Area offers easy trails through floodplain habitat with picnic spots by the water.