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Though New Hampshire usually elicits thoughts of picturesque landscapes and fruitful small towns, not every community shares the same disproportionate position within the state’s above-average economic realm. In 2025, a select few communities are distinguished by below-average household incomes and above-average delinquency and poverty rates. Sizing up where there are economic struggles could reveal disparities regionally and possibly point toward areas that may need support, investment, or policy change.
According to national researchers, Ashland is the poorest town in New Hampshire. A recent ranking estimates median household income at approximately $40,559, compared to state averages of almost $90,845. (The estimated poverty rate is around 32.5%, but the state average is closer to 7.3%.) Education also lags state averages, as do median home values. These figures reflect the significant economic pressures on Ashland, which lends itself to its position at the bottom of New Hampshire’s economic ladder.
For a broader perspective, you can also explore the Top 10 Poorest Cities in the U.S. in 2025 and learn about South America’s Poorest Countries in 2025: GDP Insights and Rankings, which highlight similar economic disparities across different regions.
Other towns with major economic challenges
Outside of Ashland, a wider array of cities and towns are showing signs of economic distress. For example:
- Berlin, New Hampshire, has been called the “poorest city” in New Hampshire in one report from 2025, with a median income of approximately $43,972 and a poverty level of 16.8 per cent.
- Claremont, New Hampshire, ranks second, with an income of about $54,520 and a poverty rate of nearly 15.2%.
- Laconia, New Hampshire, rounds out the top three, with an income of about 68,427 and a poverty rate of 12.1%.
None of these cities has the extreme numbers of Ashland mentioned earlier, but relative to New Hampshire, they are clearly behind.
Why it Matters & What to Watch
When low median incomes and high poverty rates are present in a town, the Correlation is usually that higher costs of housing and taxes will be lower budgeted for public services for that town. For the resident, it has fewer overall job and business opportunities, and it is associated with lower economic mobility. For policymakers, these are towns that can be targeted with support (job training, support for local businesses, and investment in infrastructure and education). Lastly, it leads us to question why some towns are thriving while others are struggling – even within the same state.
Conclusion & Takeaway
To sum up and take away from this: in New Hampshire, a state often considered fairly wealthy, we have seen through its towns like Ashland, Berlin and Claremont, that economic distress and opportunity still exist. The first step toward change is to understand where the need is most severe. If you reside in one of these communities, or are thinking of living, working or investing in them, you should be mindful of the local economic indicators. For broader assistance, or in order to change the conditions in communities, you can work with local and state stakeholders to improve these hardest hit communities.
