What is the property tax rate in Sullivan County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Sullivan County, New Hampshire is approximately 2.40%.

Sullivan County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — New Hampshire Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Sullivan County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Claremont-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Sullivan County — including New Hampshire's 100% assessment ratio (full market value statewide), the celebrated "NH advantage" (no state income tax + no state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work), the 4-component total mill rate (municipal + county + local school + Statewide Education Property Tax / SWEPT $1.030/$1,000 for 2026, RSA 76:3/76:8), the dramatic town-by-town variation (New Castle ~$5.73/$1,000 to "doom loop" rural towns >$35/$1,000), the town-option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b, age-tier AV reductions), and town-variable Veteran Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 + RSA 72:35 — DIRECT tax credits, not AV reductions, $700-$5,000 range for 100% disabled). New Hampshire effective rates are top 5 highest in the US (~1.93% statewide median).

Sullivan County is part of New Hampshire's distinctive 4-component property tax system. NH has NO state income tax + NO state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work. The total mill rate sums 4 components: municipal + county + local school + Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT, $1.030/$1,000 for 2026). Real property is assessed at 100% of FMV. Sullivan's representative effective rate is ~2.40%. NH ranks top 5 US for effective rate (~1.93% statewide median).

How the bill is built

Each town's assessor determines FMV on a 5-year reassessment cycle (RSA 75:8-a). NH assesses at 100% of FMV. Tax = FMV × total mill rate / 1,000. Sullivan's representative total mill rate is ~24 mills (~2.40% effective). NH bills issue in 2 halves: first bill (~July) is estimated at half of prior-year tax; second bill (~December) "trues up" at the final rate set by the DRA. Most towns due July 1 + December 1.

Mill rate variation across NH is dramatic. Range from ~$5.73/$1,000 (New Castle) to ~$38/$1,000 (Berlin, Claremont) — a 6-7x spread. Affluent seacoast and lakefront towns with substantial seasonal/commercial tax base keep mill rates low; post-industrial and rural towns with declining commercial base have the highest. For relocation buyers, mill rate matters far more than home value.

NH veteran credits are town-variable. NH provides DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. Standard Veterans' Credit (RSA 72:28) $50-$750 town-set; All Veterans' Credit (72:28-b) similar; Disabled Service-Connected Credit (72:35) $700 minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000. NH does NOT join the categorical full-vet-exemption states — treatment is town-by-town. Apply with town assessor (form PA-29 + DD-214) by April 15.

2026 Sullivan County rate breakdown (total mill rate per $1,000 of AV (100% FMV; muni + county + school + SWEPT), Newport district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined municipal + county + local school + SWEPT (Claremont ~38 mills among highest in NH, Newport ~31 mills, Sunapee ~13 mills, New London ~17 mills × 100% AR; county avg ~2.40%)	24.0000
Combined total	24.0000

As of April 27, 2026 · From Sullivan County + Town Assessors (NH towns assess; Lake Sunapee + Connecticut River).

Note: Sullivan County is **western New Hampshire along the Connecticut River** — anchored by **Claremont** (~13K, the celebrated former mill city + the celebrated Sugar River industrial heritage), **Newport** (~6K, the de-facto county seat — the celebrated covered-bridge town named for the celebrated Newport, Rhode Island), **Charlestown** (~5K — celebrated Connecticut River town), **Sunapee** (~3K — celebrated Lake Sunapee resort area + celebrated Mt. Sunapee Resort), **New London** (~5K — home to **Colby-Sawyer College** ~1,200 students), and **Cornish** (~1.5K — celebrated 19th-century **Cornish Art Colony** site, celebrated home of celebrated American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens). Major employment includes substantial advanced manufacturing (Whelen Engineering in Charlestown, Sturm Ruger firearms in Newport), the celebrated **Mt. Sunapee Resort** (the celebrated downhill ski area), the celebrated **Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park** in Cornish (the celebrated home and studio of celebrated American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, preserved as a National Park Service site), **Colby-Sawyer College**, and substantial seasonal Lake Sunapee tourism.

Note: Sullivan County effective property tax rates run approximately **2.40%** — **among the highest in New Hampshire** (and the United States). **Claremont at 38 mills** is **among the highest in NH** for a city its size — celebrated "doom loop" rural-NH dynamics: declining population + declining commercial tax base + persistent school spending = celebrated rising mill rates. Newport ~31 mills, Charlestown ~30 mills. Sunapee at 13 mills (~1.30% effective) is dramatically lower (substantial seasonal lakefront tax base). Median home values around $295K combined with the high effective rate produce median annual bills around $7,080.

Note: For relocation buyers: Sullivan County offers **the affordable rural western New Hampshire + Connecticut River + Lake Sunapee** option — the celebrated **Mt. Sunapee Resort** (downhill skiing, summer hiking), the celebrated **Lake Sunapee** boating culture, the celebrated **Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park** in Cornish (the celebrated home of the celebrated American sculptor of *Standing Lincoln* in Chicago and the *Sherman Memorial* in NYC's Grand Army Plaza), reasonable Manchester / Lebanon / Concord commute (Newport to all three ~45 min), and substantial affordability (Claremont median home $235K — the lowest in southern NH). The trade-off: among the highest property tax burdens in the United States (Claremont median bill ~$8,500 on a $235K home), persistent Claremont post-mill-town population decline, distance from major NH urban centers.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

New Hampshire homeowner property tax relief operates through several mechanisms — but with a critical caveat: relief is town-administered, not state-administered. NH towns/cities (234 total) are the assessing entity. State law sets minimum exemptions and credits; towns may (and most do) increase them substantially. The primary mechanisms are: (1) the Town-Option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b, age-tier AV reductions), (2) the Veterans' Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 standard, RSA 72:35 disabled — DIRECT tax credits, not AV reductions), (3) the SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing Exemption (RSA 72:36-a — narrow full exemption), and (4) the Current Use Assessment (RSA 79-A — for qualifying farm/forest land at use value rather than market value).

Town-Option Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b)

Every NH town/city sets its own age-tier AV reduction amounts and income/asset eligibility limits. Typical structure: 3 age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+) with progressively larger AV reductions; income limit typically $40,000-$60,000 single or $50,000-$80,000 married; asset limit typically $100,000-$200,000 (excluding home). Affluent towns offer substantially larger exemptions: Hanover offers $200K AV reduction for 80+ (saves ~$3,000+/year at Hanover's mill rate), Concord offers tiered $50K-$130K, Manchester offers $75K-$135K. Other towns offer modest $25K-$50K reductions. Apply with town assessor between January 1 and April 15. Annual recertification required for income-tested programs.

Veterans' Tax Credits (RSA 72:28 + RSA 72:35)

Critical distinction: NH credits are DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. Structure: (1) Standard Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) — wartime vets, $50 state minimum, towns adopt $51-$750 (most towns at $500-$750). (2) All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) — all 90-day vets, similar $50-$750 range; cannot stack with RSA 72:28. (3) Total/Permanently Disabled Service-Connected Vet Credit (RSA 72:35) — 100% P&T vets, $700 state minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000 (Londonderry adopted $5,000 starting 2026 tax year, several towns at $4,000). (4) Surviving Spouse of KIA (RSA 72:29-a) — $700-$2,000 town option. NH does NOT join the categorical full-exemption states — treatment is town-by-town with credit amounts varying $700-$5,000.

SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing Exemption (RSA 72:36-a)

FULL property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled vets with VA-funded specially adapted homes (Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation grants). Very narrow applicability — only qualifying severely disabled vets with VA-adapted homes. NOT a general full exemption.

Current Use Assessment (RSA 79-A)

Qualifying farm, forest, and unimproved land may be assessed at "current use" value (productive value) rather than market value. Substantial reduction — a 20-acre wooded parcel with $200K market value might be assessed at $3K under current use. Requires application + 10-acre minimum (mostly). Land-use change tax applies if removed from current use (10% of full market value).

Appealing your assessment

New Hampshire property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Town Board of Selectmen / Town Assessor. File written appeal by March 1 (or within 60 days of bill mailing if later). Present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or condition documentation. Most appeals are resolved informally with the town. Level 2: NH Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) OR Superior Court. If unresolved with town, appeal to BTLA or Superior Court by September 1. BTLA is faster and cheaper (no filing fee). Level 3: NH Supreme Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or 2. Tax cycle: bills issued in 2 halves (first ~July, second ~December). Important: filing the BTLA appeal during the 5-year reassessment year is the most efficient path — pre-reassessment AVs cannot be challenged.

Cities and towns in Sullivan County

Sullivan County contains 6 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Newport to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Sullivan County is subject to Sullivan County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Claremont	city	13,000
Newport County seat	town	6,000
Charlestown	town	5,000
New London	town	5,000
Sunapee	town	3,500
Cornish	town	1,500

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Newport tax district. Other cities in Sullivan County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Sullivan County + Town Assessors (NH towns assess; Lake Sunapee + Connecticut River) before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are New Hampshire property taxes due?

NH property tax bills are issued in 2 halves. The first bill (~July) is estimated at half of the prior-year tax. The second bill (~December) "trues up" at the final tax rate set by the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). Due dates vary by town — most are due July 1 + December 1 or similar split. Late payments accrue 8% interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

Why does NH have such high property taxes?

New Hampshire has NO state income tax + NO state sales tax — property tax does virtually all state-and-local revenue work. The Interest & Dividend (I&D) tax is also being phased out (1% in 2026, eliminated 2027), making NH effectively income-tax-free starting 2027. The trade-off: NH's property tax burden ranks among the top 5 highest in the US (~1.93% statewide median). The celebrated "NH advantage" — the no-income/no-sales-tax structure — must be weighed against the correspondingly high property tax burden. For high-income earners, the trade-off generally favors NH (income tax savings exceed property tax premium); for lower-income earners, it may not.

What are the 4 components of the total mill rate?

Every NH property tax bill aggregates 4 separate rates: (1) Municipal rate — set by the town/city for general government services. (2) County rate — set by the county delegation for county services (jail, nursing home, registry of deeds). NH counties retain functional government. (3) Local school rate — set by the local school district (typically the LARGEST component, often 50-70% of total). (4) Statewide Education Property Tax (SWEPT) — $1.030/$1,000 for 2026 (RSA 76:3/76:8). The total mill rate visible on your tax bill is the sum of these 4 components.

Why do NH mill rates vary so dramatically between towns?

Among NH's 234 cities, towns, and unincorporated places, mill rates range from approximately $5.73/$1,000 (New Castle) to over $38/$1,000 (Berlin, Claremont) — a 6-7x range. The variation reflects substantial town-by-town differences in: commercial-vs-residential tax base composition (towns with substantial commercial property = lower residential rates), local school spending levels (school is the LARGEST component), and population density. Affluent seacoast and lakefront towns (New Castle, Wolfeboro, Center Harbor, Hanover) have low mill rates because seasonal/commercial property carries a substantial share of the burden. Post-industrial cities and rural towns with declining commercial tax base (Berlin, Claremont, Newport, Concord) have high mill rates. For relocation buyers, mill rate matters far more than home value in determining your actual NH property tax burden.

How does the Town-Option Elderly Exemption work?

New Hampshire's Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a/b) is a TOWN-OPTION program — every NH town/city sets its own age-tier AV reduction amounts and income/asset eligibility limits. Typical structure: 3 age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+) with progressively larger AV reductions; income limit typically $40,000-$60,000 single or $50,000-$80,000 married; asset limit typically $100,000-$200,000 (excluding home). Affluent towns offer substantially larger exemptions: Hanover offers $200K AV reduction for 80+ (saves ~$3,000+/year). Apply with town assessor between January 1 and April 15 (annual recertification required). Combined with NH's high effective rates, the exemption can produce substantial savings ($1,000-$5,000+ annually depending on town).

How do New Hampshire Veteran Tax Credits work?

Critical distinction: NH credits are DIRECT TAX CREDITS (subtracted from the bill), not AV reductions. (1) Standard Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) — wartime vets, $50 state minimum, towns adopt $51-$750 (most towns at $500-$750). (2) All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) — all 90-day vets, similar $50-$750 range. (3) Total/Permanently Disabled Service-Connected Vet Credit (RSA 72:35) — 100% P&T vets, $700 state minimum, towns adopt up to $4,000-$5,000 (Londonderry adopted $5,000 starting 2026 tax year). (4) SAH/SHA Specially Adapted Housing (RSA 72:36-a) — FULL property tax exemption (very narrow — only 100% P&T vets with VA-funded specially adapted homes). NH does NOT join the categorical full-exemption states. Apply with town assessor (state form PA-29 + DD-214 + VA disability rating) by April 15.

How do I appeal my New Hampshire assessment?

NH property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Town Board of Selectmen / Town Assessor. File written appeal by March 1 (or within 60 days of bill mailing). Level 2: NH Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) OR Superior Court. Appeal by September 1. BTLA is faster and cheaper (no filing fee). Level 3: NH Supreme Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or 2. Important: filing the BTLA appeal during the 5-year reassessment year is the most efficient path — pre-reassessment AVs cannot be challenged.

About Sullivan County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Cornish is celebrated as the celebrated home of **the Cornish Art Colony** — the celebrated 1885-1935 American artists' colony that drew celebrated American painters, sculptors, writers, and musicians to celebrated Cornish for celebrated summer and year-round residencies. The celebrated colony was founded in **1885** by celebrated American sculptor **Augustus Saint-Gaudens** (1848-1907) — celebrated as **one of the greatest American sculptors of his era** and celebrated for the celebrated bronze monuments including: ***Standing Lincoln*** (1887, in celebrated Lincoln Park, Chicago); ***General Sherman Monument*** (1903, in celebrated Grand Army Plaza, NYC); the celebrated ***Robert Gould Shaw Memorial*** (1897, on celebrated Boston Common); and celebrated dozens of other celebrated American Civil War memorial sculptures. The celebrated Cornish Art Colony at its peak included celebrated 100+ celebrated American artists including: **Maxfield Parrish** (the celebrated American Golden Age illustrator celebrated for celebrated *Daybreak* 1922 — celebrated 200,000+ print sales); **Childe Hassam** (the celebrated American Impressionist painter); **Kenyon Cox** (the celebrated American muralist); **Thomas Wilmer Dewing** (the celebrated American Tonalist painter); **Stephen Parrish** (Maxfield's celebrated father, also an artist); and dozens of celebrated American sculptors, painters, and writers. The celebrated Saint-Gaudens estate "Aspet" is preserved as the celebrated **Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park** (the celebrated only National Park Service site in New Hampshire — drawing celebrated 35,000+ annual visitors).

Hometown hero

Augustus Saint-Gaudens + Maxfield Parrish + JD Salinger

**Augustus Saint-Gaudens** (1848-1907) — celebrated as **one of the greatest American sculptors of his era** — lived in **Cornish, NH** from **1885 to 1907** at the celebrated **"Aspet"** estate (preserved as the celebrated Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park). Saint-Gaudens's celebrated bronze monuments are celebrated American public art landmarks including the celebrated *Standing Lincoln* (1887, Lincoln Park, Chicago), *General Sherman Monument* (1903, Grand Army Plaza NYC), *Robert Gould Shaw Memorial* (1897, Boston Common), *Adams Memorial* (1891, Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC), and the celebrated $20 gold coin "Saint-Gaudens double eagle" (1907 — celebrated as the celebrated most-beautiful US coin ever minted, currently celebrated as among the most-valuable American gold coins in numismatic auctions). **JD Salinger** (1919-2010) — the celebrated reclusive author of ***The Catcher in the Rye*** (1951 — celebrated 65+ million copies sold, celebrated American coming-of-age novel) — lived in celebrated **Cornish, NH** from **1953 until his death in 2010** in a celebrated 90-acre property where he lived in celebrated reclusive seclusion. Salinger published ***Franny and Zooey*** (1961), ***Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters*** (1963), and other celebrated short stories during his celebrated Cornish years before withdrawing from public life — the celebrated Salinger reclusion is among the celebrated literary mysteries of the 20th century. Posthumously, Salinger's celebrated unpublished works are celebrated to be released gradually by his celebrated estate. **Other notable Sullivan County figures** include **Maxfield Parrish** (1870-1966 — see Cornish Art Colony above) and **Daniel Webster** (1782-1852 — the celebrated US statesman, born in Salisbury NH, with celebrated Cornish-area connections).

Biggest annual event

Mt. Sunapee skiing + Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park + League of NH Craftsmen Fair

The celebrated **Mt. Sunapee Resort** (the celebrated downhill ski area on Mt. Sunapee, since 1948) draws celebrated 100,000+ annual skier-visits during the celebrated December-April winter season. The celebrated **League of NH Craftsmen Fair** (annual, first weekend of August at Mt. Sunapee Resort, since 1933) is **the celebrated oldest annual American crafts fair** — drawing celebrated 25,000+ attendees over 9 days with celebrated 250+ celebrated American craft artisans selling celebrated New Hampshire-and-New England crafts. The celebrated **Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park** in Cornish (year-round, with celebrated peak summer programming) draws celebrated 35,000+ annual visitors. The celebrated **Lake Sunapee** boating + recreation (May-October) draws celebrated 50,000+ seasonal visitors.

Property Tax in Sullivan County, 2026