Sullivan County

New Hampshire's Sullivan County is an uncut jewel. It doesn't have the glamour of a Portsmouth or the diversity of a Manchester. But anyone who chips away at the surface -- or stands in Claremont's town square on a sunny day -- finds a wealth of business, cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages.
Claremont, the county's only city, received unflattering press in the 80s and 90s as the lead town in the Claremont education lawsuit. But Claremont has come back with a roar. While there are still a few empty storefronts downtown, most of the red brick buildings on the town square hum with new shops and services. A splash of flowers decorates the traffic island, and a well-groomed common is steps away. The Town Hall/Opera House complex is a marvel of architecture, with intricate brick work, stained-glass windows, a cupola, a weathervane and a gold eagle. The city meets residents' cultural needs with the Fiske Free Library, concerts and plays at the Opera House, and The Performers' Playground, an arts program catering to Sullivan County youths.
While empty mills stand in silent tribute to an earlier era, an active Chamber of Commerce and an Economic Development Committee are working to bring business to Claremont.
Nearby Newport has the small-town charm of a Goffstown or an Exeter, with beautifully restored buildings and a wide town common. The common hosts Friday farmers' markets, Saturday flea markets, Sunday-night concerts, and winter ice skating. The Richards Free Library has its own art gallery and sponsors the annual Sarah Josepha Hale Award for a New England author. Filmmaker Ken Burns, of nearby Walpole, was the '08 recipient. Newport's restored Opera House is a venue for all forms of entertainment.
Outdoor activities are plentiful, with Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee just minutes away. Lake Sunapee has private cottages and a public state beach. The county hugs the Vermont border, with skiing at Mount Ascutney and Okemo Mountain readily available.
In the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $40,938, and the median income for a family was $48,516. The per capita income for the county was $21,319. Men had a median income of $32,185, versus $24,615 for women. About 5.20 percent of families and 8.50 percent of the population were below the poverty line.
Sullivan County offers a range of New Hampshire real estate, from lakefront homes to mountain chalets with space for a growing family or a growing business... The pace is slower here and the prices competitive. A Prudential Verani Realtor® is available to help you "come home" to Sullivan County.