Laconia, NH — A City on the Rise

Laconia NH

The 17,000 resident “City on the Lakes” is nestled on the shores of three of New Hampshire’s largest lakes: Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, and Opechee. With the picturesque Winnipesaukee River running alongside its downtown area, Laconia is a beautiful place to live and work. It is the largest city in the Lakes Region, with advantages that smaller towns often lack. Laconia contains three main villages, Downton Laconia, Lakeport, and Weirs Beach. By landmass, the city has a total area of 26.1 square miles, of which 19.8 square miles are land, and 6.3 square miles are water, comprising 23.93% of the city. Laconia is blessed with miles and miles of shorefront along Paugus Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake, plus Lake Opechee’s entire shoreline and a long stretch of shoreline along Lake Winnisquam, New Hampshire’s 3rd largest lake.

The history of Laconia goes way back in time. A large Abenaki Indian Settlement called Aquadocton Village was located in the Weirs Beach area. In 1652, the Endicott Surveying Party visited this area, and this event is commemorated by Endicott Rock, a local landmark in Weirs Beach. Settlement occurred in 1761; however, for many years, it remained a part of Meredith and Gilford called Meredith Bridge. In 1765 lumber and grist mills and taverns were established. Laconia’s beautiful courthouse was built in 1822, followed by the historic Belknap Mill in 1823. The mill is the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in the country. During those early years, the Laconia Car Company was the city’s largest employer that built rail trolley, and subway cars. In 1839 the railroad brought freight and a large number of tourists to Weirs Beach. The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad ran through Laconia’s historic Railroad Station, through Lakeport, and along Paugus Bay to Weirs Beach and Meredith. The railroad was later purchased by the state of New Hampshire in 1975, and the tracks are still used for freight purposes and a tourist train service by the Plymouth and Lincoln Railroad. Laconia was later established as a city in 1893.

The Laconia Municipal Airport is located just east of the city limit in Gilford. The airport includes 448 acres and is a regional general aviation facility. The airport sees frequent private jet travel.

Laconia is proud of its recreational trail called the W.O.W Trail, which runs 4.25 miles from Lakeport to Downtown and then to the Belmont town line and Winnisquams Scenic Trail.

Laconia, like so many once-vibrant New Hamshire Downtown’s, has propelled forward and has taken charge of its future. Like the green plant that grows in the crevice of a rock, Laconia has gained exciting new life. A new master plan set its course in 2017, followed by “Celebrate Laconia,” to celebrate the city’s 125th anniversary. A strategic investment in the community was then implemented by City leaders to build new opportunities in the city. Laconia can be proud today to look at the beautifully restored colonial theatre of Laconia that features live events and concerts in a venue like going back in time. Built in 1914, the $14.4 million renovations have received “wow” reviews to a wide range of performances in the 750 seat theatre, host to music, theatre, comedy, and civic events. The Colonial catalyst has transferred to other downtown shops, cafes, and the Cake Theatre in downtown, a performing arts theatre created by Recycled Percussion amplified to the thrill of a Las Vegas-style experience.

The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival is another example of Laconia’s versatility in hosting unique cultural events… a huge event every fall in downtown; however, each June, for nine days, the city hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, aka Bike Week, one of the country’s largest rallies celebrating 99 years of riding. The city also hosts the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby, a well-attended fun event, and the Ironman 70.3 timberman triathlon that draws a large crowd of competitors and spectators.

Laconia’s growth has expanded to lakeport’s renaissance led by Scott Everett, a local product who wanted to “give back to the community he grew up in.” Scott’s vision for Lakeport was right on with the amazing renovation of the Lakeport Opera House, first opened in 1882. This venue is staging amazing performances for Lakes Region Residents. Scott’s newest project, a 29,500 square foot mixed-use commercial/residential complex, is a stunning addition to Lakeport.

The Laconia Country Club, established in 1922, is a private member-owned course. The championship layout 6,813-yard par 72 course is beautiful and in superb condition.

New Hampshire’s cruise ship, the MS Mount Washington, which holds 1250 passengers, is a proud tradition since 1872 is hard at work planning for 2022, its 150th year of cruising on Lake Winnipesaukee.

In Laconia, a city of approximately 17,000 residents, about 25% of its housing stock involves second homes or seasonal properties. There are approximately 8,554 housing units.

Laconia’s public school system is run by the Laconia School District. There is one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools. Private schools include Holy Trinity school and Laconia Christian. Lakes Region Community College offers 28 degree and 37 certificate programs as well as numerous non-credit options.

Concord Hospital – Laconia is a community and regional acute care facility with a licensed bed capacity of 137 beds offering a wide range of medical services.

Laconia’s property tax rate is $18.86 per $1,000, which is 4.3% lower than the previous year.

Laconia offers a diverse system of 20 parks, playgrounds, and beaches, including Weirs Beach, Bartlett Beach, Opechee Cove, Opechee Point, and Bond Beach.

The city has a number of neighborhoods that offer deeded private beach rights on area lakes. There’s a wide selection of housing types, from planned communities like South Down Shores & Long Bay and Meredith Bay to numerous condominium communities, residential homes, and waterfront homes. For winter activities, Gunstock Mountain Resort is just up the road, and there’s plenty of snowmobile trails, cross country trails, ice skating, and skiing opportunities. The summer months explore with unlimited opportunities with the many marinas, yacht clubs, arcades, boardwalk at the weirs, and the world’s largest arcade at Funspot. A multitude of fine restaurants, pubs, cafes, and coffee shops can be found in Laconia, along with a multitude of cultural events.

Here’s a look at how the real estate market in Laconia has been performing over the past two years:

  • In 2021 there were 239 single-family home sales. The median sales price was $308,000. The average sales price was $420,350. The lowest sales price was $51,724. The highest sales price was $4,900,000. Median days on the market was 7. Total sales volume was $100,463,694.
  • In 2021 there were 187 condo sales. The median sales price was $251,000. The average sales price was $303,674. The lowest sales price was $67,000. The highest sales price was $1,100,000. Median days on the market was 6. Total sales volume was $56,787,188.
  • In 2020 there were 275 single-family home sales. The median sales price was $279,900. The average sales price was $375,745. The lowest sales price was $68,000. The highest sales price was $1,875,000. Median days on the market was 18. Total sales volume was $103,329,955.
  • In 2020 there were 187 condo sales. The median sales price was $236,000. The average sales price was $273,410. The lowest sales price was $74,000. The highest sales price was $867,900. Median days on the market was 12. Total sales volume was $51,127,759.
  • At the present time, there are 21 single-family homes under contract where the median listing price was $369,000.
  • At the present time, there are 26 condos under contract where the median listing price was $579,000.
  • At the present time, there are only 12 single-family homes for sale. The median list price is $375,000. The average list price is $483,550. The lowest listing price is $119,000. The highest listing price is $1,425,000. Median days on the market is 76.
  • At the present time, there are only 5 condos for sale. The median list price is $499,900. The average list price is $502,780. The lowest listing price is $239,000. The highest listing price is $730,000. Median days on the market is 5.

Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc. with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH

This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Town data was compiled by a NEREN search on 2/14/2022 at 11:00 am EST and is subject to change. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire - a Tale of Two States

Massachusetts and New Hampshire – a Tale of Two States

Most of my articles talk about housing, trends, home values, and the desirable lifestyle we ...
Read More →
Spring flowers at the Belknap Mill in Laconia, New Hampshire

Spring Trends in Lakes Region Properties

It’s been one of those winters, or should I say lack of winters, that we ...
Read More →
Sales Snapshot: The Current Highest Prices Property For Sale in The Lakes Region Is on Governor's Island for $12,998,000

Sales Snapshot: New Hampshire’s Affordability Challenge

As we spring into March and approach our busy spring selling season, I thought I’d ...
Read More →
Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH

Gunstock: Gem of the Lakes Region

Nestled among the stoic peaks of the Belknap Mountain range in the heart of New ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Announces Top Producers for 2023

Roche Realty Group Announces Top Producers for 2023

Meredith — Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group, announced the top five producers for the ...
Read More →
AI and the Future of Real Estate

AI and the Future of Real Estate

Imagine, if you will, looking at a mysterious picture box filled with a whole world ...
Read More →
Prices rise Broadview Condominiums originally sold to the developer for $500,000

Prices Rise Ahead of Super Bowl Sunday

We’ve got a great match coming up for this year’s Super Bowl…The 49ers vs. the ...
Read More →
Smart Moves in Condominium Ownership Samoset

Smart Moves in Condominium Ownership

Here in the Lakes Region, a good part of our residential housing inventory is in ...
Read More →
Land Sales Unveiled: New Hampshire's 2023 Market

Land Sales Unveiled: New Hampshire’s 2023 Market

New Hampshire The Granite State… true to its motto, “Live Free or Die”, which encapsulates ...
Read More →
Exploring Cash Sales Dynamics in Lakes Region Real Estate

Exploring Cash Sales Dynamics in Lakes Region Real Estate

I was at a sales meeting at Roche Realty Group the other day, and we ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Meredith

Roche Realty Group Reports Over $150 Million in Sales

               Meredith- Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc., ...
Read More →
Lincoln, New Hampshire Riverwalk Resort

Lincoln, New Hampshire: From Mill Town to Ski Destination

Tucked in the heart of New Hampshire, sprawling across 131 square miles of varied terrain, ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Towns Stand Out For Their Spirit of Giving

Celebrating the Spirit of “Giving” in the Lakes Region

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of New Hampshire, the Lakes Region stands out not only ...
Read More →
AI's Impact on the future of real estate

Real Estate’s Future: The Impact of AI

The other day, I was talking with my son Chris about the changes in the ...
Read More →
NH Lake Sales Activity - picture of lake with mountains and homes

Lakes Region Waterfront Sales 2022 vs. 2023

We’re getting near the end of the year, and I thought I would pull up ...
Read More →
Winter Snowmobile

Real Estate in a Winter Wonderland

As I drove around the other day with my kids, I was looking at some ...
Read More →
Toys for Tots Drive

Roche Realty Host Annual Toys for Tots Drive

As the holiday season approaches, Roche Realty Group is excited to announce the kickoff of ...
Read More →
Small Business Saturday New Hampshire

Small Business Saturday Living Gratefully in New Hampshire

We have so many things to be thankful for here in New Hampshire: plenty of ...
Read More →
Annie Brown Joins Roche Realty Group

Annie Brown Joins Roche Realty Group

Meredith — Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc., with offices in Meredith and ...
Read More →
Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH

Gunstock Upgrades for Winter as Real Estate Shows Resilient Growth

As the leaves of New Hampshire’s forests transition from the vibrant hues of fall to ...
Read More →
Preserving New Hampshire's Lakes

Preserving New Hampshire’s Lakes: A Community Effort

With over 250 lakes and ponds throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, there are unlimited outdoor ...
Read More →
Home Inspections — The Uninspected Abode: A Spine-chilling Tale of Regret and Terror!

The Uninspected Home: A Spine-chilling Tale of Regret and Terror!

One night, not many years ago, in a quaint, somber town nestled amidst the haunting ...
Read More →
Interest Rates

Interest Rates Impacted by Treasury Yields

It looks like the national picture for housing stats has not improved in recent months; ...
Read More →
Local Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions

Local Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions

Our communities are facing a shortage of both residential and commercial properties, a scenario that’s ...
Read More →
Fall Splendor In New Hampshire

Fall Splendor in New Hampshire

New Hampshire in the fall is akin to stepping into a live canvas painting — ...
Read More →
Samoset Condominiums on Lake Winnipesaukee

Condominium Sales Surge in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region!

As we start entering October’s bright fall colors, I thought I’d take a look at ...
Read More →
Empowering your offer

Empower Your Offer in a Sizzling Real Estate Market!

As a seasoned real estate professional, I often consider the market conditions to keep myself, ...
Read More →
Reviews of New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Reviews of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

We’ve had a great summer in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, and we’re approaching the brilliant ...
Read More →
Waterfont Sales Activity Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Waterfront Sales Activity in the Lakes Region

As we head into September, I have compiled data and insight into what is happening ...
Read More →
Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend in The Lakes Region

Labor Day Weekend has arrived, and the weather forecast for the Lakes Region looks fantastic, ...
Read More →
Interest Rates

The Mortgage Interest Rate Dilemma

This past week, we saw an increase in mortgage rates following a rise in bond ...
Read More →
Best State To Live In — New Hampshire at #3

New Hampshire 3rd Best State To Live In!

WalletHub just released its rankings of the best state to live in for 2023. It’s ...
Read More →
City/Town Comparison can make the research process easier

City/Town Comparison For Your Move

Some studies place moving to a new location as one of the top ten most ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Real Estate Lacks Inventory

New Hampshire Real Estate Inventory Crisis

A Multifaceted Analysis of Rising Interest Rates and Beyond New Hampshire is currently facing a ...
Read More →
Peaks of New England

Exploring the Peaks of New England

In my younger years in school, I always loved geography. Living in New Hampshire, there ...
Read More →
Climate Exodus: Insurance Companies Seeking Refuge from High-Risk Sates

Climate Exodus: Insurers’ Fleeing High-Risk States

Flooding, Forest Fires, Heat Waves, Tornados, oh my! The recent stretch of weather has certainly ...
Read More →
Real Estate News Headlines - Lakes Region NH

Real Estate Tidbits to Consider

Here are a few real estate tidbits I’ve pulled to keep you up to speed ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Sells out Lakeside at Paugus Bay

Roche Realty Group — 6 Months in Review

Closed sales for the first 6 months of 2023 have been impressive at Roche Realty ...
Read More →
Newfound Lake

Lakes Region Waterfront Sales Activity 6 Month Comparison

Below you will find data and insight into what is happening in sales activity on ...
Read More →
Buying Land

Buying Land in New Hampshire — Comprehensive Guide

New Hampshire, also known as the Granite State, offers a diverse landscape that includes picturesque ...
Read More →
Weirs Beach: A Tale of History, Community, and Natural Beauty

Weirs Beach: A Tale of History, Community, and Natural Beauty

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest bike week in the country, let’s ...
Read More →
First Five Months of Lakes Region Real Estate

Five Months of Lakes Region Real Estate Activity

The month of May’s real estate statistics just came out for New Hampshire, and it ...
Read More →
A bird's eye view of Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee — Its History

When construction started in 1981, Laconia’s South Down Farm offered a picturesque setting for condominium ...
Read More →
Memorial Day — rows of gravestones with flags in military cemetery

Memorial Day Weekend Arrives in the Lakes Region!

The long-anticipated Memorial Day weekend has arrived after a long winter, and the Lakes Region ...
Read More →
Unlike the dandelions new listings aren't popping up in the Lakes Region

Will Listings Start Bloom Like Dandelions?

Will Real Estate Listings Bloom Like Dandelions? During my rides around the Lakes Region, I’ve ...
Read More →
boat launch

Public Boat Launches in the Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a paradise for boating enthusiasts and we are now entering ...
Read More →
Real Estate Scams

Real Estate Scams to Be Aware of

One of my Realtors® received a call today from a gentleman purporting to be the ...
Read More →
Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket overlooking the ocean

From the Lakes Region to Nantucket

I spent a few days on Nantucket Island this past week for a quick getaway. ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Real Estate Is Still Hot

Lakes Region Real Estate Market is Sizzling

The real estate market in the Lakes Region and the state of New Hampshire is ...
Read More →
Lake Winnipesaukee Kayak

Buying a Lake House — Where to Start?

Owning a waterfront home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a treasured experience. For many ...
Read More →

Leave a Comment