New Hampshire households’ financial well-being remained stable in 2024
The Granite State’s lack of median household income growth paired with the rising cost of living may have contributed to stable poverty rates between 2023 and 2024.
NHFPI Policy Memo
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.
