USDA eligibility map: New Hampshire
About 95.3% of New Hampshire's area is in USDA-eligible rural areas, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA Rural Development's published eligibility map, the 30th highest share among the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. 5 of 10 counties have no ineligible area at all. 13 Census places in New Hampshire lie mostly inside ineligible areas, including Rochester city, Portsmouth city, Manchester city, Concord city and Keene city.
Check a New Hampshire address
USDA eligible area by county
The share of each county's area that is USDA eligible, and the places (cities, towns and census-designated places) at least half inside ineligible areas. These are estimates; check any single property with the lookup.
| county | Area eligible | Mostly ineligible places |
|---|---|---|
| Belknap County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Carroll County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Cheshire County | 94.8% | Keene city |
| Coos County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Grafton County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Hillsborough County | 85.1% | Manchester city, Nashua city, East Merrimack CDP, Hudson CDP, Pinardville CDP |
| Merrimack County | 92.4% | Concord city, South Hooksett CDP |
| Rockingham County | 84.2% | Portsmouth city, Derry CDP, Londonderry CDP |
| Strafford County | 80.5% | Rochester city, Dover city |
| Sullivan County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
How USDA decides what is rural
The rural-area definition is section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490): open country and places not part of or associated with an urban area with up to 2,500 people, up to 10,000 if rural in character, or up to 20,000 outside a metropolitan statistical area with a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Areas that lost rural status in the 1990 to 2020 censuses stay rural until 2030 census data arrive if they have 10,000 to 35,000 people and meet the same conditions. Income is a separate test, applied to the household by the lender and USDA.
For other address-level designations in New Hampshire, the free census tract lookup shows the income level and QCT and DDA status, and New Hampshire has 27 designated Opportunity Zone tracts (Opportunity Zone lookup).
Questions
Is New Hampshire eligible for USDA loans?
Much of it is. About 95.3% of the state's area is outside USDA's ineligible areas (433 of about 9,263 square miles are ineligible). 5 counties are entirely eligible. Most people live in the larger towns, which are often ineligible, so check the specific address.
Which New Hampshire counties have the least USDA eligible area?
Strafford County (80.5% eligible), Rockingham County (84.2% eligible), Hillsborough County (85.1% eligible), Merrimack County (92.4% eligible), Cheshire County (94.8% eligible). The share is of land area, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA's map; eligibility is decided for each property.
Which New Hampshire towns are not eligible for USDA loans?
Places USDA's map shows as mostly inside an ineligible area include Rochester city, Portsmouth city, Manchester city, Concord city and Keene city. The county table on this page lists every place that is mostly ineligible. Edges matter: part of a town, or land just outside it, can be on the other side of the line, so check the address.
How do I check a New Hampshire address for USDA eligibility?
Enter the street address in the lookup on this page. It locates the address and checks it against USDA's published rural eligibility map. It is a screening: Rural Development makes the final determination on a complete application, and household income is a separate test (USDA's income eligibility tool).
When was the USDA eligibility map for New Hampshire last updated?
The ineligible areas on USDA's map for New Hampshire carry an effective date of July 25, 2023. USDA updates the map from ineligible-area changes sent in by its state offices. The statute keeps formerly rural areas of 10,000 to 35,000 people rural until data from the 2030 census arrive, if they still meet its conditions.
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Legal references
- 42 U.S.C. 1490, definition of rural area (Housing Act of 1949, section 520)
Areas are computed by HeritageDeed: estimates, not USDA figures. USDA's map is not a final determination; Rural Development decides on a complete application. HeritageDeed is not affiliated with USDA.
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