General View of, c. 1915
Lincoln’s story
262 years in pictures
Census counts: 22 in 1790, a low of 22 in 1790, 1,631 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1915 and 5 maps from 1929 on.
- 1764Lincoln is settled
LincolnNH
A town of 1,664, settled in 1764.
2 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Population
1,664
2025 Census estimate · +2.1% since 2020
Typical home
$486K
+2.6% in a year
Household income
$71K
median
Median age
46.8
years
Jobs based here
1,828
A job hub
Is Lincoln a good place to live?
Lincoln’s best subject grades are an A− for walkability and health and an A for the outdoors; its weakest is a D for hazard risk. 39% of working residents work locally in Lincoln, above both New Hampshire’s towns (10%) and U.S. towns (8%). Only 3 of New Hampshire’s 187 towns score lower on hazard risk. 95% of the land in Lincoln is conserved, where New Hampshire’s towns sit at 18% and U.S. towns at 4.3%. The biggest place to walk is Lincoln Woods Scenic Area, 16,072 acres with 20.8 miles of trail. Only 14 of New Hampshire’s 187 towns score lower on history. Lincoln has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Lincoln stand out
Where Lincoln beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
A job hub
Every workday, about 1,621 people come to Lincoln for work
Where Lincoln’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,828jobs based in Lincoln
39%of working residents work in town
10 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Lincoln grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within New Hampshire), ordered by how far Lincoln is from typical.
Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.1 of 20; 4.4% of households have no car; 13.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitA−Open →HealthHealthier than 77% of U.S. towns; Littleton Regional Healthcare 18.1 miles awayA−Open →Jobs & income$71K median household incomeC+Open →Cost of livingBOpen →SchoolsBOpen →SafetyB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsAOpen →History2 notable people born hereB−Open →Civic life5.6 library visits per resident; 12.3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateSnowy winters, 71° summer afternoons, 136″ of snow–Open →Housing market125 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 46.8–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 51 attractions →Mount Washington and 24 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Lincoln. Close and well known come first.
Big draw20 mi MountainMount Washington
38 mi LakeLake Winnipesaukee
in town State parkFranconia Notch State Park
in town WaterfallFlume Gorge
in town Ski areaLoon Mountain Resort80 runs · 2,189 ft vertical
7 mi Ski areaCannon Mountain104 runs · 2,201 ft verticalSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Mount Washington: wwoods, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lake Winnipesaukee: No machine-readable author provided. JohnJHenderson~commonswiki assumed (based o, Public domain · Franconia Notch State Park: Stephen Sokolowski, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Flume Gorge: MyCatIsAChonk, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Loon Mountain Resort: Own work, Public domain · Cannon Mountain: Mikespenard at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Lincoln: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Lincoln, and how to reach them.
PowerNew Hampshire Elec Coop24.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterLincoln Water WorksNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers95% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Lincoln’s trash rules yet
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.govWho runs elections hereTown Clerk of LincolnThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP code0325103251 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 Lincoln.
OutdoorsA
Conserved land covers nearly a third of Lincoln
144 miles of trail in 8 parks and preserves. The trail density in Lincoln is 1.1 miles per square mile.
95.1%conserved
95.1%
conserved · 79,198 of 83,305 acres
144 mi
of trails · 1.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lincoln Woods Scenic Area | 20.8 mi | 16,072 |
| 2. Franconia Notch State Park | 16.3 mi | 3,760 |
| 3. Second Presidential State Forest | 4.2 mi | 1,185 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB
Lincoln’s schools rank ahead of 58% of New Hampshire districts
Its public schools are run by the Lincoln-Woodstock Cooperative School District. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
58%of NH districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lin-Wood Public School (Elem)Largest public elementary schoolGrades K–5 | Grades K–5 | 101 | A− |
| Lin-Wood Public School (High)Largest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 82 | C+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NH on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C+
With 3.4 jobs for every working resident, Lincoln draws in 1,621 commuters
About one in 3 of Lincoln’s working residents works in town. Jobs based in Lincoln grew to 1,828 in 2023, 433 more than in 2013. Lincoln’s average trip to work is 23 minutes.
39%work in town
| Lincoln | New Hampshire towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 23 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 6.2% | 6.8% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Lincoln39%
Waterville Valley12%
Plymouth3%
Manchester3%
Littleton2%
10 mi
median commute distance
1,828
jobs based in Lincoln
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 81% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Compared with most of New Hampshire and the rest of the country, the FEMA risk score in Lincoln is higher
Only 1 of the 127 New Hampshire towns we compare have a higher FEMA risk score than Lincoln. Since 2011, 5 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Lincoln.
88risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland flooding
5
paid flood claims since 2011
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthA−
Lincoln stands out in New Hampshire and nationally: a smaller share of its adults binge drink
13% of adults binge drink in Lincoln. Lincoln beats the New Hampshire average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 9. 31% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Lincoln.
77%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Lincoln | New Hampshire towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 16% | 16% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 32% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 16% | 17% |
32 measures vs. New Hampshire
1 better22 too close to call9 worse
| What stands out | Lincoln | NH |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 80.5% | 76.8% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 17.5% | 8.9% |
Littleton Regional Healthcare
18.1 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
In Lincoln, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
Lincoln has cold, snowy winters and cool summers, with plenty of rain. Of the 127 New Hampshire towns we compare, none has a lower July high than Lincoln.
136″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter7–26°
Spring24–46°
Summer48–69°
Fall32–50°
Oct 1
typical first frost
May 18
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
Older than New Hampshire overall
People 65 and older are 28% of residents (20% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 34% of residents (40% statewide). Lincoln has grown 2.1% since 2020, to 1,664 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 39% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 41% across New Hampshire.
46.8median age · NH 43.3
| Lincoln | New Hampshire towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 years | 44.8 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 19% | 18% | 22% |
LincolnNew HampshireUnited States
Ages · share of residents
22%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma10%
High school19%
Some college28%
Associate’s5%
Bachelor’s28%
Graduate11%
Women and men · all residents
48% women, 52% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±4.7 points. Across New Hampshire, 50.1% of residents are women. Among residents 35 to 44, 70% are men (NH 51%).
| Lincoln | NH | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 7.3% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 12% | 8.9% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.7% | 8.7% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 10.7% | 12.7% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 9.4% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 10.3% | 12.4% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 14.1% | 15.5% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 21.7% | 12.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.6% | 7.9% | 7% |
| No diploma | 9.8% | 5.6% | 10.4% |
| High school | 18.5% | 26.8% | 26% |
| Some college | 28.4% | 17.2% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 4.8% | 9.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 27.6% | 24.5% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 11% | 16.1% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 1,700, single groups can be off by several points
HousingCost of living grade B
A typical Lincoln home is worth about $486K
The typical Lincoln home is worth about $486,000, up 2.6% in a year, close to the New Hampshire typical home.
$486KZillow home value
| Lincoln | New Hampshire towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 72% | 82% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,143 a month | $1,388 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Lincoln$486K
New Hampshire$511K
Market temperature
125
days on market
97%
sale-to-list price
+2.6%
value change, 1 year
6
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SafetyB−
Crime per resident in Lincoln is lower than in 52% of U.S. towns
Among 126 New Hampshire towns, just 5 have a lower violent crime rate than Lincoln.
52%of U.S. towns report more crimeB−Safety Grade
| Lincoln | New Hampshire towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 13.9 per 1,000 residents | 4.4 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0 per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Lincoln0
New Hampshire1.2
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Lincoln13.9
New Hampshire8.3
U.S.15.5
52nd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
0
violent crimes reported in 2025
23
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Lincoln
20pages on Lincoln
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 58% of NH districts · 3 schoolsSafetyB−0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than NH on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB$486K typical home · up 2.6% in a yearWork & commuteC+$71K median household income · 1,828 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 88% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Lincoln; the nearest are
Plymouth State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Plymouth23.3 mi$14,626 in-state tuitionWhite Mountains Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Berlin36.7 mi$7,050 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Lincoln residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across New Hampshire.
Get outside
144 miles of trails in Lincoln
95.1% of the town is conserved land, across 8 parks and preserves.
1
Lincoln Woods Scenic Area20.8 mi of trails · 16,072 acres
3
Second Presidential State Forest4.2 mi of trails · 1,185 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
About Lincoln
Town in New Hampshire, United States
Lincoln is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. It is the second-largest town by area in New Hampshire. The population was 1,631 at the 2020 census. The town is home to the New Hampshire Highland Games and to a portion of Franconia Notch State Park. Set in the White Mountains, large portions of the town are within the White Mountain National Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses the western and northeastern parts of the town. Lincoln is the location of Loon Mountain Ski Resort and associated recreation-centered development. The primary settlement in town, where 969 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as the Lincoln census-designated place (CDP) and is located al…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1764
- Area
- 131 sq mi
- Elevation
- 810 ft
- ZIP code
- 03251
- Area code
- 603
Lincoln’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Lincoln.
EastonFranconiaLincoln
How the neighbors grade
Lincoln and Franconia have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Franconia reports no FBI crime data of its own. Easton isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Lincoln with a neighbor →
Questions about Lincoln
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Lincoln, NH expensive?
That is 5.8 years of the area's median household income ($83,269 across the Lebanon-Claremont, NH-VT 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 Lincoln, NH known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Charles W. MacLean and Edmond David Gionet.