Strafford County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 130,889. Its county seat is Dover. Strafford County was one of the five original counties identified for New Hampshire in 1769. It was named after William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford in the mistaken belief that he was the ancestor of governor John Wentworth – although they were distantly related, William had no descendants. The county was organized at Dover in 1771. In 1840, the size of the original county was reduced with the creation of Belknap County.
Strafford County constitutes a portion of the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as of the greater Boston-Worcester–Providence, MA–RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. It is estimated to be New Hampshire’s county with the highest percentage growth over the 2010-2019 period.
| Name: | Strafford County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 33-017 |
| State: | New Hampshire |
| Founded: | 1771 |
| Named for: | William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford |
| Seat: | Dover |
| Largest city: | Dover |
| Total Area: | 382.6 sq mi (991 km²) |
| Land Area: | 367.6 sq mi (952 km²) |
| Total Population: | 130,889 |
| Population Density: | 356.1/sq mi (137.5/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Website: | www.co.strafford.nh.us |
Strafford County location map. Where is Strafford County?
Strafford County Road Map
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 U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 384 square miles (990 km), of which 369 square miles (960 km) is land and 15 square miles (39 km) (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)
Strafford County Topographic Map
Strafford County Satellite Map
Strafford County Outline Map
