The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In New Hampshire For 2025

Despite New Hampshire’s reputation for being a safe place to live with your family, Conway might be an exception. Its large tourism industry and seasonal resident population contribute to its growing crime rate, as many of the crimes are committed against out of town visitors. In 2024, Conway ranked number 8 for rapes, 5 for property crimes, and as fifth highest for overall crimes.

It is the most populous community in Carroll County, with around 20% of the county’s population living there. It is located near the White Mountain National Forest and the popular Echo Lake State Park. Visiting climbers like to visit Cathedral Ledge.

In Somersworth, New Hampshire, you are more likely to be the victim of property crime or larceny than to get struck by lightning or to face a tax audit. In data year 2024, the residents of Somersworth suffered from 310 property crimes and 293 cases of larceny. For a population of 12,270 residents, this makes Somersworth highest for total crime.

While it is not the safest place to live, it is one of the most affordable places to live. This might explain some of the crimes against property that are prevalent in this area.

It is conveniently located about an hour north of Boston and within close proximity to historic Portsmouth. It shares a border with Maine along the Salmon Falls River.

Compared to the other safe cities in New Hampshire, Manchester is the third most dangerous. It is one of the most populous cities in the state, with 115,464 current residents. In 2024, there were 1,622 cases and 1,903, making it a place where your residence or stuff are in danger.

In the state of New Hampshire, Manchester is second highest in violent crimes. Its central location along the Merrimack River puts it within an hour or so of Boston, Massachusetts. While it might also have a reputation for small business and successes with new retailers in downtown, its nickname of Queen City underplays the danger of living there.

Claremont, the fourth most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire, has a concerning crime rate. With a population of 13,153, the city experienced25 incidents, including 5 robberies and 16 aggravated assaults. This puts Claremont at the sixth highest rank for violent crime in the state.

Located in Sullivan County, Claremont is the only city in the county. Historically, it was home to Native American tribes before European settlement. The city was named after Claremont, the country mansion of Thomas Pelham-Holles, Earl of Clare. While Claremont has a rich history, its current crime statistics make it dangerous to live in New Hampshire.

Keene, New Hampshire is known for repeating its world record for setting the most jack o lanterns on display at once during New Hampshire’s annual pumpkin festival. However, the city is also known as one of the most dangerous. At the time of this writing, Keene ranks fourth highest for total crime in all of New Hampshire.

Overall, Keene is more dangerous than most of the other cities in New Hampshire, although not that dangerous for the country overall. This college town will still feel safe for the students of the two colleges located there: Keene State College and Antioch University New England. Despite the relative safety risk, there are a lot of things to do in Keene that keep tourists visiting the area, such as Mount Monadnock and the unique Hannah Grimes Marketplace.

Located near lakes and mountains, the picturesque beauty of Laconia, New Hampshire hides the fact that it is the seventh most dangerous city in the state. With a whopping 436 per year, there is a very large number of property crimes for its relatively small population of 17,217. This makes Laconia #1 in property crimes and #2 in overall crimes for 2025.

While most of the crime is centered in the downtown area and its surroundings, this doesn’t make the other parts of town particularly safe. The town continues to try to clean up its crime rate but it hasn’t been successful. Combined with an overall lack of employment opportunities, you probably won’t find Laconia on our best places to live in New Hampshire list.

Portsmouth, the eighth most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire, has seen a concerning increase in crime rates. With a population of 22,969, this city in Rockingham County has experienced 43 violent crimes, including 0 murder cases, 9 rapes, 2 robberies, and 32 aggravated assaults. The property crime rate is also alarming, with 295 incidents reported. These statistics indicate that residents of Portsmouth face a higher risk of being victims of crime compared to other areas in New Hampshire.

Located on the Piscataqua River and bordering the state of Maine, Portsmouth has a rich history as a seaport and popular tourist destination. While the city’s past achievements and unique charm continue attracting visitors, addressing its residents’ current safety concerns is essential. By acknowledging the existing challenges and working together as a community, Portsmouth can strive towards a safer future for its residents and maintain its status as an appealing place to live in New Hampshire.

Concord ranks 3rd in population and 16th highest in total crime, which makes it one of the most dangerous cities in the state of New Hampshire. In the last ranking, it was fifth lowest. The local government and law enforcement professionals have worked to reduce the amount of crime in the city.

Residents love to shop on Loudon Road and downtown, where the crime levels might be slightly higher. Most of the crimes in the area are property crimes and larceny, with 551 property crimes and 477 instances of larceny in 2024.

Concord is the capital city of New Hampshire and the location of the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

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