Canaan, New Hampshire Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canaan, New Hampshire had a total population of 257, the 91st largest community in New Hampshire. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Canaan Quick Facts
How Canaan Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 205 | 257 | +25.4% |
How Canaan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 24 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Canaan Rankings in New Hampshire
Explore New Hampshire Rankings
Other Cities in Grafton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | 14,999 | $98,147 | 7.0% | $385,400 |
| Hanover | 8,479 | $153,281 | 8.0% | $842,600 |
| Plymouth | 4,969 | $89,500 | 17.0% | $294,400 |
| Littleton | 4,114 | $53,082 | 15.5% | $230,500 |
| Bristol | 2,098 | $73,993 | 9.5% | $237,400 |
| Enfield | 1,994 | $99,330 | 23.7% | $277,900 |
| Woodsville | 1,422 | $57,946 | 10.3% | $228,000 |
| Ashland | 1,404 | $44,188 | 27.7% | $173,900 |
| Bethlehem | 1,058 | $64,625 | 11.5% | $262,000 |
| Lincoln | 923 | $60,000 | 9.6% | $326,700 |
Cities Similar to Canaan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Boston | 245 | $250,000+ | N/A | 72.6% | 5.8% |
| Alton | 281 | N/A | $363,300 | 16.5% | 3.4% |
| Suissevale | 230 | $100,795 | $462,500 | 44.8% | 0.0% |
| Newfields | 294 | $185,769 | $484,100 | 72.9% | 1.0% |
| Plainfield | 220 | $109,500 | $455,600 | 31.8% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 257, Canaan's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Canaan is a small community located in New Hampshire, within Grafton County. The total population is 257. It ranks as the 91st most populous out of 100 Census-designated places in New Hampshire.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canaan is 52.6 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 43.3 years. Only 9.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 7.2%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Canaan, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $275,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $402,500. 26.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 64% lower than the state average of 72.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Canaan has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 40.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canaan, New Hampshire is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Hampshire state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 100 Census-designated places in New Hampshire. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all New Hampshire city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Canaan, New Hampshire?
Canaan, New Hampshire has a population of 257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canaan, NH?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Canaan — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canaan, NH?
The poverty rate in Canaan is 9.3%. This means approximately 24 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canaan, New Hampshire?
Canaan's population is 88.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canaan, NH?
The median home value in Canaan is $275,000.
How educated is Canaan, New Hampshire?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Canaan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.