Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Durham

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Thompson Hall, UNH 1
New Hampshire›Strafford County
CompareFollow

DurhamNH

Trash day: look up yours
4 bordering townsMap →
Photo: AcrossTheAtlantic · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Durham

Durham, NH · Photo: AcrossTheAtlantic · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗

Population
15,346
2025 Census estimate · −0.9% since 2020
Typical home
$699K
+0.6% in a year
Household income
$124K
median
Median age
20.8
years
Jobs based here
6,570
A job hub
TownGrade
A+
Among the top 2% of U.S. towns

Why does Durham grade so well?

Few places in the country grade higher. Durham earns an A+, among the top 2% of U.S. towns. It reports less crime per resident than 93% of U.S. towns, the median household earns $124K, and it is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns. Its lowest mark, a B−, is in cost of living. Durham is a college campus (most residents are students), so it isn’t ranked among New Hampshire’s towns. 76% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Durham, above both New Hampshire’s towns (39%) and U.S. towns (29%). Only 8 of New Hampshire’s 187 towns score higher on walkability. Durham is home to University of New Hampshire-Main Campus.

StrongestAOutdoorsASafetyAJobs & income

What makes Durham stand out

Where Durham beats most towns.

Gen. John Sullivan House
HistoryA
Settled in 1635
4 places on the National Register
A history going back 391 years.
Conserved land & trails
OutdoorsA
#2 most trails in NH
39.9% of the town is conserved land.

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Durham0.9
New Hampshire1.2
U.S.3.3
SafetyA
25% less violent crime than NH
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
Gen. John Sullivan House
Gen. John Sullivan House · National Register of Historic Places
Durham’s story

391 years in pictures

Gen. John Sullivan House is a National Historic Landmark, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1635, comes before those of 96% of the New Hampshire towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,247 in 1790, a low of 749 in 1920, 15,490 in 2020. The archive holds 51 old photos and papers going back to 1892 and 5 maps from 1916 on.

4 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 1635Durham is settled
Explore the history →

How Durham grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within New Hampshire), ordered by how far Durham is from typical.

How grading works
SafetyAOpen →Jobs & incomeAOpen →HealthWentworth-Douglass Hospital 6.7 miles awayAOpen →SchoolsAOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.2 of 20; 8.1% of households have no car; 25.7% of workers walk, bike or ride transitA−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 33% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB+Open →Cost of livingB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsAOpen →History13 notable people born hereAOpen →Civic life4.7 library visits per resident; 5.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsAOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 20.8; 75% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Lake Winnipesaukee and 47 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Durham. Close and well known come first.

All 179 attractions →
39 mi LakeLake Winnipesaukee24 mi Ancient siteAmerica's Stonehenge9 mi MuseumStrawbery Banke17 mi LighthouseCape Neddick Light28 mi Theme parkCanobie Lake Park11 mi LandmarkFort William and Mary
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits

Lake Winnipesaukee: No machine-readable author provided. JohnJHenderson~commonswiki assumed (based o, Public domain · America's Stonehenge: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Strawbery Banke: Ken Gallager (Ken Gallager from en.wikipedia), Public domain · Cape Neddick Light: Stefan Hillebrand, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Canobie Lake Park: Alex1961, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Fort William and Mary: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting set up

Moving to Durham: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Durham, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →
PowerUnitil21.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterUnh/Durham Water SysNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown pickup · day by addressTown site
SchoolsOyster River Cooperative School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteIn personNew Hampshire has no online registration; you can register in person up to and including Election Day or by mail only in special circumstances (received 13 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereTown Clerk of DurhamThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP code0382403824 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 19, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Durham.

Durham has more trail for its size than nearly any town in New Hampshire, is shaped by its college students and has more 90° days than almost anywhere else in New Hampshire.

SchoolsA

Public schools in Durham beat 85% of New Hampshire districts

Its public schools are run by the Oyster River Coop School District. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Oyster River High School, with 825 students.

85%of NH districts it outscoresASchool Grade
SchoolLevelStudentsLetter
Oyster River Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 5–8Grades 5–8585A−
Oyster River High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12Grades 9–12825A+
Full pageDurham’s schools pageOpen the page
The districtsOyster River Coop School DistrictVs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 3 graded neighborsEvery school3 schools · Oyster River High SchoolQuestions“Are Durham’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within NH on state tests and graduation

OutdoorsA

Durham stands out in New Hampshire and nationally, with trail density higher than most

At 3.1 miles of trail per square mile, it ranks #2 of 126 New Hampshire towns. Its 6,280 conserved acres are a larger share of the town than in 94% of New Hampshire towns.

The trail density in Durham is 3.1 miles per square mile. Crommet Creek Wildlife Management Area, at 647 acres with 2.8 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve. 76 miles of trail in 39 parks and preserves.

#2for trails in NH
39.9%
conserved · 6,280 of 15,750 acres
76 mi
of trails · 3.1 per sq mi
Biggest places to walkTrailsAcres
1. College Woods5.6 mi294
2. Crommet Creek Wildlife Management Area2.8 mi647
3. Oyster River Forest2.7 mi167
Full pageDurham’s outdoors pageOpen the page
Trail map76 miles of trail, mappedPick a walk5.6 miles of trail · College WoodsConserved land39.9% conserved · 6,280 acres protectedQuestions“Where can I hike in Durham?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

Work & commuteJobs & income grade A

About one in six working residents works right in Durham

6,570 jobs are based in Durham, 1.7 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 19.4 minutes, against 26.7 across New Hampshire.

Most working residents leave Durham for work: only 18% work in town. Durham’s average trip to work is 19 minutes. Jobs based in Durham grew to 6,570 in 2023, 760 more than in 2013.

18%work in town
DurhamNew Hampshire townsU.S. towns
Average trip to work19 minutes28 minutes25 minutes
Median household income$124,000$103,000$80,000
Below the poverty line15%6.7%9.6%
Working residents who work in town18%9.8%8%

Where working residents work

In Durham18%
Portsmouth12%
Manchester6%
Dover6%
Nashua3%
13 mi
median commute distance
6,570
jobs based in Durham
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 84% of U.S. towns
Full pageDurham’s work & commute pageOpen the page
The jobs here6,570 jobs based here · A job hubWhere people work18% work in DurhamCommute times19 minutes · The average commuteHow far they goHalf commute less than 13 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

SafetyA

Durham earns an A for safety

At 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 80% of New Hampshire’s graded towns.

93%of U.S. towns report more crimeASafety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Durham0.9
New Hampshire1.2
U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Durham2
New Hampshire8.3
U.S.15.5
93rd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
80th
percentile among NH towns
14
violent crimes reported in 2025
30
property crimes reported in 2025
Full pageDurham’s safety reportOpen the page
Violent crime by type0.9 violent crimes per 1,000Crime over the yearsSteady since 2023Vs. the neighborsAhead of all 2 graded neighborsQuestions“Is Durham, NH safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

HealthA

Compared with most of New Hampshire and the rest of the country, fewer of Durham’s adults have diabetes

Within New Hampshire it is less healthy than 53% of the 126 graded towns: New Hampshire sets a high bar. Against the 5,161 U.S. towns with household incomes like Durham’s, it is healthier than 65%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.

4.4% of Durham adults have diabetes. No town among the 126 in New Hampshire we compare has a higher share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Durham. 20% of Durham adults have high blood pressure.

86%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
DurhamNew Hampshire townsU.S. towns
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)4.4%9.5%12%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)24%16%17%
Depression (CDC PLACES)31%23%23%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)20%34%35%
32 measures vs. New Hampshire
11 better10 too close to call11 worse
What stands outDurhamNH
Fewer adults with diabetes4.4%9.4%
Fewer adults with heart disease2.9%6%
More adults without reliable transportation10.7%5.6%
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
6.7 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
47th
percentile among NH towns
Full pageDurham’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsFewer smokersHospitals & doctors nearby6.7 miles to an ER · Wentworth-Douglass HospitalHow adults are doingMore adults in frequent mental distressEvery CDC estimateBetter than NH on 11 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

HousingCost of living grade B−

The typical home in Durham is valued at about $699K

At 6 years of the Boston metro’s $116K median household income, the typical home (about $699K) costs more against local pay than in 78% of New Hampshire towns; that ratio is one input to its B− for cost of living. 66.4% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 48.2% across New Hampshire.

The typical Durham home is worth about $699,000, up 0.6% in a year, 37% above the New Hampshire typical home. 64% of households own their home in Durham.

$699KZillow home value
DurhamNew Hampshire townsU.S. towns
Households that own their home64%82%73%
Median rent$1,429 a month$1,382 a month$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Durham$699K
New Hampshire$511K
+0.6%
value change, 1 year
1
homes sold in April
Full pageDurham’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page
Prices over the yearsUp 0.6% in a yearYears of income to buyA typical home costs 5.6 years of incomeRents$1,429 a month · Median rentVs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Climate

In Durham, expect four seasons and pleasant summers

The Durham weather station records that about 15 days a year reach 90°, the #2 highest of 321 New Hampshire places with climate records.

Durham has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 82°, January nights drop to 15° and about 39 inches of snow falls in a winter.

39″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter18–36°
Spring35–56°
Summer58–79°
Fall41–61°
Oct 4
typical first frost
May 8
typical last frost
+1.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageDurham’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 82°, January lows 15°Rain & snow39″ of snow a winter · 47 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+1.8° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B+

Low risk in Durham, with inland flooding at the top

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 67% of U.S. communities. Since 1987, 11 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Durham.

33risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
33Low riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingEarthquakesHurricanes
11
paid flood claims since 1987
12
federal disasters paid out here
Full pageDurham’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesLow riskFlood claims11 paid flood claims · Since 1987Past disasters12 federal disasters · Paid out in DurhamGet ready0.7 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Durham

20pages on Durham
The big questions
SchoolsABeat 85% of NH districts · 3 schoolsSafetyA0.9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than NH on 11 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB−$699K typical home · up 0.6% in a yearWork & commuteA$124K median household income · 6,570 jobs hereNatural hazardsB+FEMA risk higher than 33% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
OutdoorsA76 mi of trails · 40% conserved landPlacesAttractions179 nearby · Richard Jackson House 8 miLibraryA4.7 library visits per residentCollegesUniversity of New Hampshire, in town
The story
HistoryASettled 1635 · 4 on the National RegisterFamous people13 born in DurhamTown Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 171 residentsClimate82° summer highs · 39″ of snow
Day to day
News5 recent stories about DurhamWeatherHandbookZIP code 03824Town SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

2 within 15 miles of the center of Durham

University of New HampshireUniversity or college · Public · DurhamIn town$19,202 in-state tuitionGreat Bay Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Portsmouth6.9 mi$7,200 in-state tuition

College town 55 of every 100 Durham residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across New Hampshire.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

Get outside

76 miles of trails in Durham

39.9% of the town is conserved land, across 39 parks and preserves.

Map of trails and conserved land in DurhamConservedTrails
1
College Woods5.6 mi of trails · 294 acres
Directions
2
Crommet Creek Wildlife Management Area2.8 mi of trails · 647 acres
Directions
3
Oyster River Forest2.7 mi of trails · 167 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US

Landmarks

4 places in Durham on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →
Gen. John Sullivan HouseNational Historic Landmark
Durham Historic District
Thompson HallBuilt 1892
Smith Chapel

Famous people from Durham

13 notable people were born in Durham.

See all 13 →
D
Deron QuintAmerican ice hockey player · born 1976
J
Joyce MaynardAmerican writer · born 1953
John S. WellsAmerican politician · 1803–1860
Samuel WellsAmerican politician and Governor of Maine · 1801–1868
James Frederick JoyAmerican railroad executive and politician · 1810–1896
Sam FuldAmerican baseball player · born 1981

About Durham

Town in New Hampshire, United States

Official town website ↗

Durham is a town in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 15,490 at the 2020 census, up from 14,638 at the 2010 census. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is located in Durham. The primary settlement in the town, where 11,147 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Durham census-designated place (CDP) and includes the densely populated portion of the town centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 108 and Main Street, which includes the university that dominates the town.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established
1635
Area
25 sq mi
Elevation
49 ft
ZIP code
03824
Area code
603

Durham’s neighbors

4 towns share a border with Durham.

Explore the map →
NewingtonMadburyNewmarketLeeNewingtonMadburyNewmarketLeeDurham
Newington
SE · 2% of Durham workers commute here
Visit
Madbury
N
Visit
Newmarket
SW
Visit
Lee
W
Visit
How the neighbors grade
TownNH rankOverallCostSafetySchoolsHealth
Durham–A+B−AAA
Newington——————
Madbury——B−—AA
Newmarket#37A−C−ABA
Lee#13AC−AAA

Madbury has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Madbury reports no FBI crime data of its own. Newington isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Durham with a neighbor →

Questions about Durham

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Durham, NH a good place to live?

Yes, by almost any measure. Durham grades A+ overall, among the top 2% of U.S. towns. Durham is a college campus (most residents are students), so it isn’t ranked among New Hampshire’s towns. It grades A for health, A for safety and A for schools.

Is Durham, NH expensive?

That is 6 years of the area's median household income ($115,863 across the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.

What is Durham, NH known for?

13 notable people were born here, including Deron Quint and Joyce Maynard.