Strafford County, New Hampshire

Geography

Strafford County is in southeastern New Hampshire, separated from York County in the state of Maine by the Salmon Falls River. The southern part of the Salmon Falls, from Rollinsford to Dover, is a tidal river that flows into the Piscataqua River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 384 sqmi, of which 369 sqmi is land and 15 sqmi (3.9%) is water. It is the smallest county in New Hampshire by area.

Adjacent counties

• Carroll County (north)
• York County, Maine (east)
• Rockingham County (south)
• Merrimack County (west)
• Belknap County (northwest)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 130,889 and a median age of 38.9 years. Residents under the age of 18 made up 17.9% of the population while 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.0 males.

In terms of race and ethnicity, 88.5% of residents identified as White, 1.2% as Black or African American, 0.2% as American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.4% as Asian, 0.0% as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% as some other race, and 5.5% as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 3.0% of the population.

Sixty-three point three percent of residents lived in urban areas, while 36.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 51,454 households in the county; 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 55,706 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant, and among occupied units 65.4% were owner-occupied while 34.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 123,143 people, 47,100 households, and 29,862 families living in the county. The population density was 333.7 PD/sqmi. There were 51,697 housing units at an average density of 140.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% white, 2.6% Asian, 1.0% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 24.4% were French or French Canadian, 19.7% were Irish, 17.4% were English, 9.5% were Italian, 8.7% were German, 5.2% were American, and 5.0% were Scottish.

Of the 47,100 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.6% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 36.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $57,809 and the median income for a family was $72,286. Males had a median income of $50,489 versus $37,178 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,059. About 6.7% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 112,233 people, 42,581 households, and 27,762 families living in the county. The population density was 304 PD/sqmi. There were 45,539 housing units at an average density of 124 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.29% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.8% were of English, 14.9% Irish, 14.0% French, 10.5% French Canadian, 7.6% American, 6.3% Italian and 6.2% German ancestry. 93.7% spoke English and 3.2% French as their first language.

There were 42,581 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.10% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 13.60% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,803, and the median income for a family was $53,075. Males had a median income of $36,661 versus $26,208 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,479. About 5.00% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

The largest cities in Strafford County are Dover (population) and Rochester (land area) .

Politics and government

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County Commission

The executive power of Strafford County's government is held by three county commissioners.

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.

General court

The general court delegation of Strafford County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. There are 37 members from 25 different districts. After the 2020 elections, the party distribution of representatives for the county was as follows.

Communities

Cities

• Dover (county seat)
• Rochester
• Somersworth

Towns

• Barrington
• Durham
• Farmington
• Lee
• Madbury
• Middleton
• Milton
• New Durham
• Rollinsford
• Strafford

Census-designated places

• Durham
• Farmington
• Milton
• Milton Mills

Villages

• Bow Lake Village
• Center Strafford
• East Rochester
• Gonic
• North Rochester
• Place

Footnotes

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Strafford County, New Hampshire".
4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Strafford County, New Hampshire". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Strafford County, New Hampshire".
15. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Strafford County, New Hampshire".
16. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
21. "TIGER/Line Shapefile, 2020, State, New Hampshire, 2020 Census Block". U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division, Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch (Point of Contact).
22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
23. "State and County Elected Officials".
24. (November 11, 2020). "General Election Winners - 11/03/2020".