Grafton County, NH
Grafton County was established in 1769. The county was named in honor of Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - the British Prime Minister while the area was still identified as one of the original five counties of New Hampshire. An estimated population of 89,786 makes Grafton County the fifth most populous county in the state. The county encompasses an area of 1,749.7 square miles.
Hillsborough County, NH
Hillsborough County was named for Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough. Founded in 1769, the county encompasses just over 892 square miles. The largest city within its boundaries is Manchester, known as the “Queen City”. It is the most populous county in the state with an estimated population of 415,247.
Merrimack County, NH
Merrimack County was established in 1823 and named for the Merrimack River. Within its boundaries lies the state capital, Concord. The region is known for its history in world famous carriage making, known as the “Concord coaches”. The county is the third most populous in the state with an estimated population of 151,132.
Rockingham County, NH
Rockingham County was established in 1769. The county was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. Within its boundaries, the Phillips Exeter Academy was founded in 1781. The estimated population is 309,176, making it the second most populous county in the state.
Strafford County, NH
Strafford County was named in honor of William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford. The county was founded in 1771 and has an estimated population of 130,090. The largest city within its boundaries is Dover, also known as the Garrison City. During the early 1900s the area was the nation’s leading manufacturer of cotton goods. Strafford County is the fourth most populous county in the New Hampshire.