Strafford County

Strafford County is an administrative division in New Hampshire containing thirteen municipalities, including the cities of Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth. These communities span both land and water areas and connect through a regional government structure.

The county was established in 1769 and named after William Wentworth, the 2nd Earl of Strafford, through a naming decision rooted in colonial family connections. This founding shaped how the region organized itself administratively for generations to come.

The thirteen communities here each maintain their own character and host local festivals and art shows throughout the year. Visitors experience how residents celebrate their neighborhoods and preserve local identity through these gatherings.

Dover serves as the county seat and offers centralized administrative services for residents and visitors. The region is well connected by highways, making it easy to explore the different communities.

The county is one of the smallest administrative divisions in New Hampshire by land area. This compact size makes it possible to explore multiple communities in a single day.

Location: New Hampshire

Inception: April 29, 1769

Capital city: Dover

Shares border with: Carroll County, Rockingham County, Belknap County, Merrimack County, York County

Website: http://co.strafford.nh.us

GPS coordinates: 43.25829,-70.97611

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:03