Coos County · Great North Woods

Stratford

Library in Historic Grand Trunk Railway Depot

Part of the Berlin area

About Stratford

Stratford is a remote Connecticut River town in Coos County made up of three small villages — North Stratford, Stratford Hollow, and Beatties — strung along the river in a valley of working forests and open farmland. With a population of about 660, the town carries the quietude of the deep North Country, where logging trucks share the roads with moose and the nearest traffic light is a county away. The Nash Stream Forest, a nearly 40,000-acre multi-use conservation area, extends into town, offering some of the best backcountry recreation in the state. The Connecticut River and Nash Stream provide excellent trout fishing, and the surrounding forests support a traditional economy of timber harvesting that has sustained families here for generations.

Why Stratford?

Access to Nash Stream Forest — 40,000 acres of conservation land
Connecticut River fishing and paddling
Extremely affordable homes in genuine backcountry setting
Working forest economy with real North Country heritage
Dark skies and wildlife abundance

Quick Facts

Population

749

County

Coos

Region

Great North Woods

School District

SAU 58

Weather in Stratford

27°F

Clear

Today

30 / 24

Tue

35 / 21

Wed

38 / 29

Map

Living in Stratford

What you need to know about making Stratford your home.

Major Employers

Stratford Public SchoolTown of StratfordLogging and forestry operations

Schools & Education

Stratford Public School serves PK-8 locally in SAU 58, with high school students attending Groveton High School in neighboring Northumberland.

Cost of Living

Home prices are among the lowest in the state at around $120,000, though the $28.51 tax rate is the highest on this list, reflecting the challenge of maintaining services in a small, rural town.

Real Estate

$120,000 median home price

$28.51 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Stratford

Commute Times

40 min

Berlin

15 min

Groveton

20 min

Colebrook

30 min

Lancaster

School District

Regional district

Northumberland/Stark/Stratford School District(SAU 58)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Northumberland.

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

District towns

Northumberland Stark

Stratford Public School

PK-8Elementary

Groveton High School (Northumberland)

9-12High School

Hidden Gems in Stratford

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

Percy Peaks

summer

Two distinctive conical mountains rising dramatically from Nash Stream Forest, North and South Percy offer some of the most spectacular views in northern New Hampshire. The final ascent requires scrambling up exposed granite slabs that can be slippery when wet, but rewards hikers with breathtaking 360-degree views including Mount Washington to the south and Maine's peaks to the east. In August, the summit of North Percy is covered with wild blueberries, making it a local foraging secret.

Stratford Public Library (Historic Railroad Depot)

year-round

This gem hides in plain sight on Main Street - a beautifully restored 1897 Grand Trunk Railroad Station that now serves as the town library. Listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2025, it features a working model railroad display and small railroad museum in the 'Railroad Room' that operates on select weekends. The building represents Stratford's glory days as an important railroad hub where trains connected Montreal to Portland, Maine. Few visitors realize they can explore this piece of transportation history during regular library hours.

Sugarloaf Mountain via Nash Stream Forest

summer

One of the northernmost peaks on New Hampshire's 52 With a View list, Sugarloaf Mountain offers a surprisingly non-technical but steep climb through beautiful fern-filled sections of forest. The summit provides stunning views toward the White Mountains and into Maine, yet sees far fewer visitors than other peaks due to its remote location. The trail travels over 8 miles down a seasonal dirt road, ensuring solitude even on busy hiking weekends. Local hikers prize it as one of the least crowded options for big mountain views.

Old Hermit Shelter

summer

This exquisite timber-frame lean-to sits hidden along the Sugarloaf Arm Trail in Nash Stream Forest, crafted by local artisans using traditional post-and-beam construction. Built by the Cohos Trail Association, it provides a peaceful overnight spot for backpackers on the 170-mile Cohos Trail, but day hikers can also visit this architectural gem nestled in the deep woods. The shelter represents the best of New Hampshire craftsmanship and offers a taste of backcountry solitude just a short hike from the trailhead.