Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The coastal town of Portsmouth, N.H., blends the charm of old and new. Here, a ferry brings visitors to historic Star Island.Bridgette Desmond/Courtesy of Portsmouth Collaborative
- StateNew Hampshire
- CountyRockingham
- Population21,355
The runner-up city on this year’s list is anything but second-rate. Portsmouth is a seacoast town on the banks of the Piscataqua River, a 12-mile tidal estuary that separates New Hampshire from Maine. The city offers a blend of old and new, coastal charm, and vibrant community life.
Its cobblestone streets and well-preserved architecture tell of its rich history. It also boasts a rich beer-brewing heritage that’s alive and well today. Anheuser-Busch runs a 100-plus-square-foot brewery here, and at least a dozen additional big, small, and micro brewers dot the town. (Psst: Don’t miss Beer Week in March.)
The summer season in Portsmouth kicks off with the city’s Hit the Decks event, which fetes the start of outdoor dining season with food and drink specials at many waterfront pubs and restaurants. Retail therapy can be found sans sales tax in the entire state of New Hampshire, so head to downtown’s Market Square for serious shopping.
Entertainment-seekers will enjoy the town’s Music Hall, which hosts a variety of performance types like music, theater, and film. And Prescott Park provides outdoor concerts and festivals during the summer.
The Portsmouth School District is a shining star among others in the state, with 60% of its schools rated above average via GreatSchools (compared to the state’s 27% average). Plus, 75% of the district’s students are performing above average, compared to students at other New Hampshire schools.—Alyssa Sparacino
Its cobblestone streets and well-preserved architecture tell of its rich history. It also boasts a rich beer-brewing heritage that’s alive and well today. Anheuser-Busch runs a 100-plus-square-foot brewery here, and at least a dozen additional big, small, and micro brewers dot the town. (Psst: Don’t miss Beer Week in March.)
The summer season in Portsmouth kicks off with the city’s Hit the Decks event, which fetes the start of outdoor dining season with food and drink specials at many waterfront pubs and restaurants. Retail therapy can be found sans sales tax in the entire state of New Hampshire, so head to downtown’s Market Square for serious shopping.
Entertainment-seekers will enjoy the town’s Music Hall, which hosts a variety of performance types like music, theater, and film. And Prescott Park provides outdoor concerts and festivals during the summer.
The Portsmouth School District is a shining star among others in the state, with 60% of its schools rated above average via GreatSchools (compared to the state’s 27% average). Plus, 75% of the district’s students are performing above average, compared to students at other New Hampshire schools.—Alyssa Sparacino
Town Information
| Median sale price for single family residences (2022) | $609,843 |
| Median household income | $96,148 |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of current residents | Asian: 4.86%, Black: 2.21%, Hispanic: 4.65% |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of U.S. | Asian: 6.1%, Black: 13.6%, Hispanic: 18.9% |
| High school district graduation rate (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 95% |
| Percent of schools serving students in the area that rank "above average" (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 60% |
| Number of hospitals within 25 miles recommended by over 50% of patients | 6 |
| Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households | 35 |
| Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) | 62 |
Sources: ATTOM, U.S. Census Bureau, GreatSchools, Healthgrades, Caring.com, Sharecare