With only 31,268 people living there in the 2020 census, Coos County, which is in the northernmost part of New Hampshire, is the least populated county in the state. The county is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, outdoor activities, and rich historical history. It has a wide range of attractions. But it’s important to remember that different parts of Coos County are not all at the same level of safe.
If you look at crime statistics from 2017 to 2021, you can see something interesting. The rate of serious crime in Coos County is 2.46 incidents per 1,000 people, and the rate of property crime is 28.68 incidents per 1,000 people. These numbers are higher than the state averages of 1.37 for violent crime and 10.63 for property crime. This means that some parts of Coos County have higher crime rates than the rest of the state.
How Does Coos County Compare to Other Counties in New Hampshire?
Coos County, New Hampshire, has one of the highest crime rates of the state’s 10 counties. CrimeGrade.org says that the county has a serious crime rate of 2.46 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 28.68 per 1,000 people. The averages for the state are 1.37 violent crimes and 10.63 property crimes.
These numbers are higher than those values. The information in the table below comes from the years 2017–2021, and it shows the crime numbers and grades for all 67 counties in New Hampshire. As you can see, Coos County has the worst crime grades in both areas. Other counties, on the other hand, mostly have B or A grades.
| County | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
| Coos | 2.46 | 28.68 | C | D |
| Belknap | 1.83 | 18.64 | B | B |
| Carroll | 1.51 | 15.13 | B | B |
| Cheshire | 1.47 | 14.05 | B | B |
| Grafton | 1.44 | 12.17 | B | A |
| Hillsborough | 1.43 | 11.67 | B | A |
| Merrimack | 1.36 | 9.97 | B | A |
| Rockingham | 1.35 | 9.96 | B | A |
| Strafford | 1.34 | 9.95 | B | A |
| Sullivan | 1.32 | 9.94 | B | A |
Coos County also has the fewest people living there and the lowest typical household income of all the counties in New Hampshire. These things probably play a part in why crime rates are so high in Coos County. We will also look at crime maps and data from CrimeGrade.org to find the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Coos County.
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Berlin
Berlin, which is on the Androscoggin River, is the only city and most populous town in Coos County. The 2020 census found that 9,439 people lived there. When it was at its best, Berlin was a center for the logging and paper businesses.
There are 3.17 serious crimes for every 1,000 people living in the city, and 34.64 property crimes for every 1,000 people living in the city. Criminal activity is more likely to happen in the eastern and southern parts of Berlin. Some of these places have a crime risk score of 9 or 10 out of 10.
Gorham
The 2020 census says that 2,556 people are living in Gorham, which is in Coos County. It is at the northern end of the Presidential Range and is popular with snowboarders, hikers, and snowmobilers.
The rate of serious crime in the town is 3.13 per 1,000 people, and the rate of property crime is 35.35 per 1,000 people. Crime is more likely to happen in the western and northern parts of Gorham. Some places get 9 or 10 out of 10 on the crime risk scale.
Lancaster
Lancaster is the county seat of Coos County and has a population of 3,282 people, according to the 2020 census. There are 3.35 serious crimes for every 1,000 people who live in the town, and 36.67 property crimes for every 1,000 people who live there.
In the town, crime is worst in the southern and eastern parts, where some places have a high crime risk (scoring 9 or 10 out of 10).
Colebrook
Colebrook is one of the two county towns. It is in Coos County and had 2,191 people living in it in the 2020 census. The rate of serious crime in the town is 4.11 per 1,000 people, and the rate of property crime is 38.81 per 1,000 people.
Crime is more likely to happen in the central and northern parts of town. Some of these places have a crime risk score of 9 or 10 out of 10.
Errol
The 2020 census says that 263 people are living in Errol, which is in Coos County. There are 7.6 serious crimes for every 1,000 people who live in the town, and 45.63 property crimes for every 1,000 people who live there. Errol is the most dangerous neighborhood in Coos County, with a crime risk score of 10 out of 10.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Bannock County, Idaho!
Conclusion
New crime data shows that these five areas in Coos County, New Hampshire are the most dangerous. Still, crime can happen at any time, so it’s important to be alert, aware of your surroundings, and take steps to protect yourself and your things. Put your safety first and enjoy the beauty of Coos County.