Little pockets of history and nature can be found throughout the Peterborough community. “Known as ‘Our Town,’ Peterborough is the basis of Thorton Wilder’s famous play; he was a resident at the McDowell Colony known nationally as a retreat for artists, writers and musicians,” says Janet McEwen, Associate Broker at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty, with over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and Monadnock Region resident. “Located in the heart of The Monadnock Region of southwestern New Hampshire, Peterborough is a ‘destination’ location.” The Contoocook River, which flows through the heart of town, pairs a unique contrast to the main street lineup of local businesses. Similarly, Edward MacDowell Lake which lies within Peterborough, boasts additional natural beauty in Peterborough and is a popular local fishing and kayaking spot. “People migrate here for the special quality of life, the relaxed pace and its beauty in all four seasons.”
Peterborough
Neighborhood in New Hampshire
Hillsborough County 03084, 03449, 03458
Depot Square businesses to Shaw’s
Along U.S. Route 202, locals have a wide selection of restaurants from which to choose. Depot Square houses the town’s creative and culinary talents, including Twin Elm Farm for antiques and Harlow’s Pub and Restaurant for bar food bites. For a classic breakfast, like syrup-covered pancakes, locals find themselves among the green and cream, checkered, tile floors in the historic Peterborough Diner lunch car. Across the street, serving Irish pub food and artfully poured Guinness, locals dine at Coopershill. In Depot Square, there is an assortment of locally owned businesses that people can walk to on the sidewalks, including Tria Yoga for classes and massage therapy or Knitty Gritty for yarn and crochet supplies. Roy’s Market is a convenient stop in this shopping area for everyday grocery items. To load their medicine cabinets and pantries, locals appreciate that Shaw’s and CVS Pharmacy are off the same exit on state Route 101.
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Peterborough Players and the arts
Taking time off the slopes and trails, residents enjoy attending multiple events in town and in neighboring towns. “The area offers music, the arts and numerous cultural activities,” McEwen says. “The Peterborough Players provides the venue for summer theater.”
Pond-side estates to townhouses
Along the drive across town, residents pass a variety of Dutch Colonial and Colonial Revival houses, some built as far back as 1800 and other houses as new as 2022. Townhouses are also built in Colonial Revival style in this neighborhood and hold a median price of $316,000. The yards where these homes and townhouses are located, consist of hilly and sloping terrain, so if residents do not have a sledding hill, then their neighbor or friends in town might. The price list range is $248,000 to $2.6 million. This range is mostly impacted by acreage and proximity to water pockets dispersed throughout the area, such as Cranberry Meadow Pond. A new three-bedroom home sitting on 19 acres by Cranberry Meadow Pond, costs $1.9 million dollars, while a three-bedroom home on less than half an acre, costs $245,000.
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Contoocook Valley teaches applied technology
Students may begin taking classes at Peterborough Elementary School, within the Contoocook Valley School District, starting in kindergarten. This elementary school earns a Grade of B-plus from Niche. Starting in fifth grade, students may begin at South Meadow School; Niche gives this middle school a B-minus grade. Similarly, Contoocook Valley Regional High School, where students may begin in ninth grade, also earns a Grade of B-minus from Niche. At the high school, students can take courses within the Region 14 Applied Technology Center, which boasts career readiness.
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Cunningham Pond and parks
Residents jump into summertime fun with a splash at Cunningham Pond. This swimming and boating destination is within the 99 acres of Cunningham Pond Conservation Area. Within the park, there are 1.5 miles of trails where locals walk with their dogs and appreciate the scenery with timber bridges guiding them over the water. At Miller State Park, residents are treated to additional examples of natural beauty, especially as the leaves change along the section of Wapack Trail contained within Miller State Park. To get the kids out of the house and to a playground or to challenge a friend in pickleball and tennis matches, residents drive to Adam's Park.
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Driving around the Monadnock Region
Whether traveling to the park or to Depot Square’s amenities, U.S. Route 202 and state Route 101 help guide residents to their destinations.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Josh Naughton Team
Josh Naughton Team
RE/MAX Innovative Properties
(351) 333-4742
181 Total Sales
1 in Peterborough
$292,900 Price
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Phil Bates
Phil Bates
Galactic Realty Group LLC
(603) 691-2338
49 Total Sales
1 in Peterborough
$492,000 Price
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Laurie Mack
Laurie Mack
BHG Masiello Keene
(351) 215-0725
78 Total Sales
1 in Peterborough
$499,250 Price
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Ross Doody
Ross Doody
Century 21 Highview Realty
(802) 810-8077
171 Total Sales
1 in Peterborough
$279,900 Price
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Shannon Forsythe
Shannon Forsythe
Century 21 Your Way
(781) 661-5343
101 Total Sales
1 in Peterborough
$402,500 Price
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Shane Lampinen
Shane Lampinen
Broadvest Real Estate Group
(351) 208-2790
53 Total Sales
9 in Peterborough
$103K - $976K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 4th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Oak Park
Willard Pond
Miller State Park
Adam's Playground
Memorial Park
Wheelock Park
Off Road Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Peterborough | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Peterborough, NH sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Peterborough, NH over the last 12 months is $580,377, up 17% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$450,000
Median Single Family Price
$550,000
Median Townhouse Price
$407,890
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$333,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$285,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$275
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Last 12 months Home Sales
132
Months of Supply
1.40
Median List Price
$462,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,755
Median Year Built
1980
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,365
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,561
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,457
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
672
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
129,808
Open Houses
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Sunday, May 412 - 2pm
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Saturday, May 310am - 12pm
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Saturday, May 310am - 12pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
10,121
Median Age
50
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$101,022
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$126,577
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.7%
College Graduates
50.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
24.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
13
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Greenfield
Tiny rural town surrounded by mountains, state parks and lakes
Wilton
A rural area thriving on its extensive history and artistic Main Street
Antrim
Rural neighborhood with woodland trails and lakes
Greenville
Neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of the city and engulfed in nature
Deering
Peaceful and picturesque community home to the Deering Reservoir
Mont Vernon
Rural New Hampshire living less than 30 minutes from Manchester
Reviews
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