There are 25 towns and cities comprising the Lakes Region. This week, I thought I would highlight two desirable and similar communities, Gilford and Meredith.
Gilford, New Hampshire
Gilford includes 38.85 miles of land area and 14.7 miles of inland water area. The population includes 7,921 residents, resulting in a density of 204 persons per square mile. The population ranks 41st in New Hampshire out of 239 cities and towns. The median age is 46 years young. 42% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income is $115,423. Gilford has 5,178 housing units.
The town offers an abundance of recreational and cultural resources.
Gunstock Ski Area
The Belknap Mountain Recreation Area
Belknap Range hiking trails
Gilford’s 1,700’ sandy town beach set on 17 acres on Lake Winnipesaukee
Town docks, including the State of NH Marine Patrol
Multiple marinas
Yacht clubs with Lake Winnipesaukee in your backyard
18-hole golf course
Par three golf course
Ellacoya State Park and Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion with a total seating capacity of 9,000
Excellent school system with a campus that includes Gilford Elementary, Middle, and High School
Sprawling athletic fields and tennis courts
Community center
Expansive library
Gilford’s Tax Rate & The Town’s Total Tax Valuation:
- Gilford’s 2024 property tax rate is set at $11.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation
- Gilford’s total tax valuation amounts to $3,505,698,510, a major increase
Gilford’s Sales Activity for 2024 (Solds):
- 99 single-family home sales, 12 median days on the market, median sales price $548,000, average sales price $991,769, lowest sales price $160,000, highest sales price $7,050,000, total sales volume $19,185,200
- 45 condominium sales, 14 median days on the market, median sales price $360,000, average sales price $434,682, lowest sales price $24,500, highest sales price $1,300,000, total sales volume $19,560,700
Gilford’s Current Listings as of 4/17/2025 (For Sale):
- 24 single-family homes for sale, 18 median days on the market, median listing price $882,500, average listing price $1,142,287, lowest listing price $125,000, highest listing price $2,750,000, total listed volume $27,414,900
- 6 condominiums for sale, 14 median days on the market, median listing price $644,950, average listing price $611,466, lowest listing price $269,900, highest listing price $849,000, total listed volume $3,668,800
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith includes 40.3 square miles of land area and 14.2 miles of inland water area. The population includes 6,888 residents, resulting in a density of 166 persons per square mile. The population ranks 50th in New Hampshire out of 239 cities and towns. The median age is 49 years young. 43.8% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average household income is $92,951. Meredith has 4,972 housing units.
The town offers an abundance of recreational and cultural resources.
Meredith town beach at Leavitt Park on Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Waukewan Beach
Town Docks on Lake Winnipesaukee
Waterfront sculpture walk along the bay
Multiple marinas
Yacht clubs
18-hole and 9-hole golf course
Hiking/walking trails at the Hamlin Eames Smith Conservation Forest
Hesky Park
Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook
Excellent school system
Campus includes Interlakes Elementary, Middle, and High School
State-of-the-art artificial turf surface at the football, soccer, and lacrosse stadium
Community center
Expansive library
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
The Inns and Spa at Mills Falls
Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Waukewan in your backyard
Ice Fishing Derby
Pond Hockey
Many shops and fine restaurants in the scenic resort village
Meredith’s Tax Rate & The Town’s Total Tax Valuation:
- Meredith’s 2024 property tax rate is set at $10.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation
- Meredith’s total tax valuation amounts to $3,890,601,179, a major increase
Meredith’s Sales Activity for 2024 (Solds):
- 100 single-family home sales, 15 median days on the market, median sales price $700,000, average sales price $1,119,809, lowest sales price $75,000, highest sales price $6,082,500, total sales volume $111,980,965
- 13 condominium sales, 4 median days on the market, median sales price $539,000, average sales price $526,761, lowest sales price $110,000, highest sales price $890,000, total sales volume $6,847,900
Meredith’s Current Listings as of 4/17/2025 (For Sale):
- 18 single-family homes for sale, 32 median days on the market, median listing price $1,403,500, average listing price $1,773,576, lowest listing price $399,000, highest listing price $5,195,000, total listed volume $31,924,377
- 3 condominiums for sale, 91 median days on the market, median listing price $650,000, average listing price $650,000, lowest listing price $650,000, highest listing price $650,000, total listed volume $1,950,000
You can see from the above that Gilford and Meredith have a lot of similarities. Both towns produced the same number of single-family home sales last year (99 versus 100), but Gilford, however, had more condominium sales. Prices have appreciated considerably in both towns. The demand for both of the lakeside communities has been extremely strong. At Roche Realty Group, we expect more inventory to come on the market this spring. It should be an exciting year! The bottom line is that both Gilford and Meredith offer all sorts of recreational and cultural amenities. We are fortunate to live in such a special place in New Hampshire.
This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Data is subject to errors & sourced from Prime MLS. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.
