Photo: Andrew Sawyer · CC BY 2.5Strafford spent less per resident in 2022 than 87% of similar towns
Strafford’s town government spent $3 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $698 per resident.
What stands out about how Strafford is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$698 per resident in 2022: less than 87% of them
Strafford’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($698 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 46 New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,000, and the middle half spent $861–$1,203. Strafford spent less than 87% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($308,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Strafford itself left out).
About $698 per resident a year, or $1.91 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 24%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Strafford reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $6,086 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 1.66% across New Hampshire.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Strafford’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Strafford’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Strafford →
Most New Hampshire towns vote on March 9, 2027
Check Strafford’s own dates: some towns hold the business session on another day or vote by ballot (SB2).
Strafford’s meetings aren’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on its website.
Town website ↗Most New Hampshire towns vote on the second Tuesday in March: officers are elected and warrant articles, including the budget, are decided.
Some towns hold the business session on another day, and some vote by ballot (SB2). Check Strafford’s site for its warrant and dates.
Who’s in charge in Strafford
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time town employee for every 605 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (4,235).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Strafford School District
Strafford’s elementary school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $21,576 per pupil, $11,701 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
New Hampshire districts overall: 64% local, 28% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Strafford voted in 2024
Official results for Strafford’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican51.8%1,551 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat46.9%1,403 votesOthers: 1.3% (38 votes).
Most votes in Strafford: Donald J Trump
Strafford County: Harris 55.3%, Trump 43.2% · New Hampshire: Harris 50.7%, Trump 47.9%
of Strafford’s 3,540 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New Hampshire: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Strafford: Kelly Ayotte
Strafford County: Craig 49.9%, Ayotte 47.8% · New Hampshire: Ayotte 53.6%, Craig 44.3%
Most votes in the district: Chris Pappas
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Strafford, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strafford | 51.8% | 46.9% | 1.3% | 2,992 |
| Strafford County | 43.2% | 55.3% | 1.5% | 76,688 |
| New Hampshire | 47.9% | 50.7% | 1.5% | 826,189 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Strafford.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: strafford.nh.gov ↗
- 2New Hampshire House2 districts, 4 seatsStrafford 43 seats, shared with BarringtonStrafford 181 seat, a floterial district shared with Barrington, Middleton and New DurhamMember not listed yet
- 3New Hampshire SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New Hampshire
New Hampshire elects some House members from “floterial” districts that join several towns; districts from RSA 662:5 (2022).
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Strafford compares with the towns next door
Strafford spent $698 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $744 to $993. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Barrington | $744 | $7,121 |
| Barnstead | $993 | $6,003 |
| Farmington | estimate | $4,723 |
| Northwood | estimate | $5,806 |
| Rochester | estimate | $5,334 |
| Pittsfield | estimate | $5,694 |
| Strafford | $698 | $6,086 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Strafford’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Strafford’s government
How much does Strafford spend per resident?
About $698 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $698 was less than 87% of 46 New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Strafford?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,086 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.42% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.66% across New Hampshire. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see strafford.nh.gov.
Who runs Strafford’s government?
See strafford.nh.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Strafford yet.
How did Strafford vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 51.8%, Kamala D Harris 46.9% (2,992 votes, official results). Strafford County: Harris 55.3%, Trump 43.2%. New Hampshire: Harris 50.7%, Trump 47.9%.
How many people work for Strafford?
7 full-time and 36 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $106,176 (about $1.3M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Strafford in the state legislature?
State Senate District 6 (James Gray); State House Strafford 4 (3 seats, shared with Barrington) and Strafford 18 (1 floterial seat shared with Barrington, Middleton and New Durham). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
When is town meeting in Strafford?
Most New Hampshire towns vote on the second Tuesday in March (March 9, 2027). Some hold the business session on another day or vote by ballot (SB2), so check strafford.nh.gov for Strafford’s own dates.
Ask neighbors about Strafford’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts), NH RSA 662:5; legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →