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These Are The 10 Cities In New Hampshire With The Lowest Unemployment Rate

By Chris Kolmar
Jul. 19, 2017
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 1, 2026

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If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current career but love your home in New Hampshire, you may be on the hunt for a new job within your community. Understanding how challenging it may be to secure a new position in your hometown is crucial. To assist you, we present the cities in New Hampshire with the most favorable job markets, as indicated by their unemployment rates.

Many residents end up in their current locations due to job opportunities, but if you’re considering relocating to New Hampshire or seeking employment after moving, the strength of the local job market is essential.

We consulted the latest demographic data from the Census Bureau to identify which cities have the lowest unemployment rates. We focused on cities with populations above 8,000 and analyzed their current employment statistics to highlight the best options:

  1. Lebanon(Jobs)
  2. Portsmouth(Jobs)
  3. Concord(Jobs)
  4. Rochester(Jobs)
  5. Dover(Jobs)
  6. Manchester(Jobs)
  7. Nashua(Jobs)
  8. Keene(Jobs)
  9. Somersworth(Jobs)
  10. Claremont(Jobs)

For employers, a robust job market is a strong indicator of a community’s overall economic health. Lebanon stands out as the city in New Hampshire with the lowest unemployment rate, demonstrating its strong job market.

Continue reading to discover how we identified these top cities in New Hampshire with the most vibrant job opportunities.

For more information about job opportunities in New Hampshire, explore:

How We Determined the Cities in New Hampshire with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify New Hampshire’s most employed cities, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 8,000 and where unemployment data was available. This analysis included 13 cities across the state.

We examined the unemployment rates to rank these cities based on their employment potential. The data is sourced from the most recent American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau.

The unemployment rate serves as a key indicator of each city’s job market and the likelihood of securing employment, whether you’re considering an intrastate, interstate, or intercity move.

We ranked the cities from one to 13, designating “1” as the city with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher rank.

If your city isn’t among the top ten, scroll to the bottom for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, let’s delve into the details of the leading cities and what they offer.

1. Lebanon

Population: 13,474
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Lebanon leads our list with an impressive unemployment rate of 3.4%, positioning it as the top contender in the state.

This advantageous position comes with numerous employment opportunities for residents.

2. Portsmouth

Population: 21,366
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Portsmouth claims the second spot with a solid unemployment rate of 3.8%, making it an attractive place for job seekers.

3. Concord

Population: 42,514
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Concord rounds out the top three with a 5.5% unemployment rate, providing ample job opportunities.

4. Rochester

Population: 29,883
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Rochester, with a population of 29,883, boasts a competitive unemployment rate of 6.6%, making it a strong candidate for those entering the job market.

5. Dover

Population: 30,332
Unemployment Rate: 6.7%
Dover holds the fifth position with 30,332 residents and a favorable unemployment rate of 6.7%.

6. Manchester

Population: 110,065
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
Manchester comes in at sixth place with a 6.9% unemployment rate, providing a range of opportunities in a larger urban setting.

7. Nashua

Population: 86,799
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
Nashua also reports a 6.9% unemployment rate, making it competitive for job seekers.

8. Keene

Population: 23,281
Unemployment Rate: 7.0%
Keene ranks eighth with a 7.0% unemployment rate, appealing to those looking for employment in a smaller city environment.

9. Somersworth

Population: 11,765
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Somersworth finishes ninth with an unemployment rate of 7.1%, indicating a healthy job market.

10. Claremont

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 13,169
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Claremont completes our list at number ten with a 7.3% unemployment rate, still showcasing a viable job market.

Summary of Unemployment Across New Hampshire

In summary, these are the ten cities with the lowest unemployment rates in New Hampshire, backed by solid job opportunities.

If you’re contemplating a move to the Granite State and prefer to find employment after relocating, consider focusing your search on the cities listed above.

For further insights into employment trends and statistics across the U.S., visit Zippia, and if you’re a recent college graduate contemplating relocation, check out which states college graduates tend to stay in and which states they abandon.

Here’s a quick look at the cities in New Hampshire with the highest unemployment rates:

  1. Berlin
  2. Laconia
  3. Franklin

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in New Hampshire

City Rank Unemployment
Lebanon 1 3.4%
Portsmouth 2 3.8%
Concord 3 5.5%
Rochester 4 6.6%
Dover 5 6.7%
Manchester 6 6.9%
Nashua 7 6.9%
Keene 8 7.0%
Somersworth 9 7.1%
Claremont 10 7.3%
Franklin 11 7.3%
Laconia 12 7.9%
Berlin 13 10.2%
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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