Carroll County · Lakes Region

Tamworth

Home to America's Oldest Professional Summer Theatre

Part of the Ossipee area

About Tamworth

Tamworth spans 62 square miles in Carroll County's lakes region, with a population of 2,856 residents spread across several villages and rural areas. The town operates under the traditional New England town meeting form of government and is part of the Tamworth/Madison/Freedom School District (SAU 13), which serves students through the regional cooperative. The community centers around essential services like Tamworth Elementary School and Cook Memorial Library, while much of the town remains forested and agricultural. White Lake State Park draws visitors and locals alike to its 72-acre mountain lake, where you can swim from the sandy beach, launch a kayak or canoe, or explore the hiking trails that wind through the surrounding forested hills. The park operates seasonally from late May through early October, making it a popular summer destination in the White Mountains region. Residents here tend to value the slower pace and the ability to maintain larger properties, though this means longer drives to shopping and services found in larger towns. The combination of working farms, extensive woodlands, and lake access creates the kind of rural New Hampshire lifestyle that attracts people looking to escape more developed areas while still having access to outdoor recreation right in their backyard.

Why Tamworth?

Part of SAU 13 regional school district serving multiple towns
62 square miles offering space for larger properties and privacy
Cook Memorial Library serves as community gathering place
Traditional town meeting governance keeps local control
Lakes region location with access to recreational areas

Quick Facts

Population

2,856

County

Carroll

Region

Lakes Region

School District

SAU 13

Weather in Tamworth

42°F

Clear

Today

51 / 31

Sat

56 / 33

Sun

60 / 38

Map

Living in Tamworth

What you need to know about making Tamworth your home.

Major Employers

Town of TamworthTamworth Elementary SchoolCook Memorial Library

Schools & Education

Tamworth is part of the Tamworth/Madison/Freedom School District (SAU 13).

Cost of Living

Housing costs reflect the lakes region market, with property values generally higher than state averages (est.). New Hampshire's lack of income tax helps offset higher property tax rates typical in Carroll County.

Real Estate

$385,000 (est.) median home price

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

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Tamworth

Commute Times

2 hr 45 min

Boston

1 hr 15 min

Concord

45 min

Laconia

1 hr 30 min

Manchester

25 min

North Conway

School District

Regional district

Tamworth/Madison/Freedom School District(SAU 13)

Grades served: PreK-12

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

District towns

Madison Freedom

Tamworth local school (Tamworth/Madison/Freedom School District)

PreK-12Elementary

Regional high school via Tamworth/Madison/Freedom School District

PreK-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

White Lake State ParkState Park

Hidden Gems in Tamworth

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

Big Pines Natural Area

year-round

A 170-acre old-growth forest within the 2,106-acre Hemenway State Forest containing some of the tallest Eastern white pines in New England. One champion tree exceeds 150 feet tall with a circumference over 15 feet, and hemlocks here are 250-300 years old. Recently designated as the second Old Growth Forest Network site in New Hampshire.

Great Hill Fire Tower

summer and fall

A historic CCC-built fire tower from 1934, registered as a National Historic Lookout in 2007. The moderate 1-mile hike rewards with panoramic views north to the Sandwich Range, east to Kearsarge North, south to Ossipee Lake, and west to the Squam Lake region. Staffed for fire detection until 1974.

Wonalancet Union Chapel

fall

A tiny, iconic 1880 chapel sitting at the foot of a sweeping field with mountain views behind it, in Wonalancet — one of Tamworth's five villages with no store or post office. It has become one of New Hampshire's most photographed churches, especially during peak fall foliage when the hillside behind it erupts in color.

Ordination Rock

year-round

A large boulder marking the exact spot where Rev. Samuel Hidden was ordained in 1792 as Tamworth's first minister, effectively founding the town's civic and spiritual identity. A marble monument was installed atop the rock in 1862, with granite steps allowing visitors to climb up and read the inscriptions. Rev. Hidden is buried directly across the street.

White Lake Pitch Pine Stand

summer and fall

A 72-acre stand of pitch pine trees designated as a National Natural Landmark — one of only a handful in New Hampshire. The mature pitch pines are unusually tall for the species, with trunks exceeding two feet in diameter. A walking trail loops through the grove and passes glacial kettle bogs, offering a rare ecological landscape unlike the typical northern hardwood forests.