The population of the Granite State grew by approximately 36,600 people, or 2.7 percent, between 2020 and 2025, according to a new study from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute analyzing new U.S. Census data.

That growth was not evenly distributed around the state.

“Several of the state’s smaller communities and larger economic hubs led municipal growth in the most recent data,” the report said. “At the same time, population growth among the state’s largest cities, including Manchester, Nashua and Concord, has remained relatively static over the past five years.”

The population of the Lakes Region and White Mountains grew as well, likely due to retirees and remote works, but not as quickly as in the past. The growth rate has slowed as more years have elapsed since the pandemic, the report said.

In those five years, 31 New Hampshire communities saw population declines, while 98 grew more slowly than the state overall.

“This uneven population shift highlights broader challenges, including the rising cost of living and increased housing constraints, which may be deterring young families from settling in New Hampshire for the long term,” the report said.

The full report, authored by Senior Policy Analyst Jess Williams, is available at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute’s website, www.nhtpi.org.