Headwinds hit New Hampshire’s economy
New Hampshire’s 2025 economy faces stalled job growth, rising costs, and long-term challenges like housing and child care despite 2024 gains.
Author: Phil Sletten
The expanding role of gambling in state finances
Expansions of gambling in the next state budget would continue a longstanding trend of gaming expansions in New Hampshire
March state revenues above target ahead of April
State revenue collections were above targeted amounts again in March, following February’s relatively strong receipts.
New Hampshire’s labor force grew in 2024. Will it continue?
After expanding just 0.2% in 2023, New Hampshire’s labor force grew 1.3% in 2024, according to recently published data from New Hampshire Employment Security.
Medicaid policy changes may shift costs to states
One of several proposed changes to Medicaid is lowering or eliminating the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage floor set at the 50% match for states.
New Hampshire’s median household income increased in 2023, poverty remained steady
New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau provide key insights into the economic well-being of Granite Staters
Local governments may be at risk of losing flexible federal funds at end of year
The federal American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in 2021, provided flexible federal funds to county, city, and town governments in New Hampshire that can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
Legislature wraps session with investments in transportation, child care and key settlement funds
If given final approval and implemented, investments could support the economy and Granite Staters with low and moderate incomes
Federal tax data shows changes in how Granite Staters earn income
While information from the 2023 returns is not available yet, data from 2018 through 2021 provides insights into how Granite Staters make money.
Median single-family house price increased 66% in 5 years
The median price for a single-family house in New Hampshire rose from $283,000 in 2018 to $470,000 in 2023, a 66% increase in five years. Between 2013 and 2023, the median price increased 114%, starting at $220,000 in 2013.
Even without a recession, poverty and food insecurity impact Granite Staters
In their latest projections, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the nonpartisan budgetary and macroeconomic analytical arm of the staff informing federal legislators, projects a slowdown in growth, but no recession in sight.
Looking back and ahead to key issues facing the state’s economy
The national economy outpaced many forecasters’ expectations for a recession in 2023
Migration key to New Hampshire’s future growth
For the last 60 years, New Hampshire has relied on relatively high population growth to fuel its economic expansion
State revenues give indications of economic conditions
New Hampshire State revenues give indications of economic conditions, outlook generally positive, with key points of caution.
Facing a struggling economy
Latest data shows median income fell behind inflation, tax credit expirations, increased poverty
Business tax rate reductions decreased revenue
Economic growth not sufficient enough to offset revenue losses
Granite Staters report affording household expenses remains challenging
NH Fiscal Policy Institute shares data from Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey
New state budget again shows shortfalls in transportation funding sources
Budget highlights ongoing imbalance in the way the state funds transportation
State budget invests in healthcare workforce, adds funding for housing
Investments to provide workforce supports with expanded housing availability and access to healthcare
NHFPI policy memo: House budget plan seeks to address workforce shortage
Proposal to include modest investments in housing, child care, healthcare workforce
Labor shortage persists even as pandemic fades
Economic challenges still constrain NH’s workforce
10 facts about NH’s state budget
A guide to understanding the fundamentals behind the state’s fiscal blueprint
Pandemic aid lessened food insecurity in NH
Federal assistance offset negative economic effects
Despite recent increases, higher-ed funding in New Hampshire trails all other states
High costs can be linked to high school students’ decision to leave state to attend college
Worsening shortage in New Hampshire reduces access to affordable homes
Targeted state investments seen as helping improve conditions for renters, buyers
New Hampshire’s fiscal situation improves with higher revenues, underspending
But significant unknowns related to the pandemic, federal aid could reverse favorable trends
New Hampshire state agencies project major revenue declines
Officials say impacts of Covid-19 could mean a $500 million hit
Analysis: Most of NH’s CARES Act grants have been appropriated
Support for small businesses tops the list, along with nonprofits, healthcare and childcare providers
Analysis: Strategic, effective government investments needed for sustained economic recovery
Key policies can provide short-term relief and long-term recovery in Covid-19 crisis
Dissecting New Hampshire’s pending state revenues plight
Analysis: Covid-19 crisis has taken a bite out of state coffers, with bigger losses to come
How U.S. coronavirus aid package benefits the Granite State
Federal CARES Act to provide relief to NH residents, $1.25 billion to New Hampshire state government
Parsing New Hampshire’s fiscal disparities
By many metrics, there are large differences between the more urban regions of New Hampshire, primarily in the southeastern part of the state, and less urban regions in the west and north. The southeast’s larger population centers, higher resident median…
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Headwinds hit New Hampshire’s economy
New Hampshire’s 2025 economy faces stalled job growth, rising costs, and long-term challenges like housing and child care despite 2024 gains.
NH continues to be one of the lowest funders of public higher education in the U.S.
New Hampshire remains one of the lowest funders of public higher education in the country, according to 2024 data from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEOA).
The expanding role of gambling in state finances
Expansions of gambling in the next state budget would continue a longstanding trend of gaming expansions in New Hampshire
The role of Medicaid in funding New Hampshire’s health care system
Public health coverage remains essential for helping to ensure all residents can access health care services and contribute to a growing New Hampshire economy.
Expanded eligibility increased child care scholarship enrollment by over 21%
For many Granite State families, child care is inaccessible and unaffordable. According to Child Care Aware of America, center-based care for two children under 5 years old averaged nearly $32,000 annually in New Hampshire during 2023, a 12.5% increase from 2022.
Local governments may be at risk of losing flexible federal funds at end of year
The federal American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in 2021, provided flexible federal funds to county, city, and town governments in New Hampshire that can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
Legislature wraps session with investments in transportation, child care and key settlement funds
If given final approval and implemented, investments could support the economy and Granite Staters with low and moderate incomes
Child care in the Granite State: end of one-time funding approaching
Limited access to affordable child care creates significant challenges for New Hampshire’s families, economy, and state efforts to support a robust workforce. While Granite State families requiring child care experienced challenges with availability, affordability and quality of care before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges and highlighted the severity of barriers to child care.
Child care scholarship eligibility expansion may save Granite State families thousands per year
Between November 2022 and October 2023, an average of 16,000 Granite Staters per month were not working because they were caring for children who were not in school or day care. The high price of child care may be a key factor keeping many NH residents out of the workforce.
