History

The County of Carroll was formed on December 23, 1840, by an act of the State Legislature and organized from towns removed from Strafford County. It was named in honor of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had died eight years prior and was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Ossipee is the county seat.

Carroll County is approximately 992 square miles. One-quarter of the county is within the White Mountain National Forest. It ranks second for New Hampshire counties in the number of its lakes.

With Mt. Washington to the north and Lake Winnipesaukee to the south, its major industries are tourism and recreation. The two largest of its 18 towns, Conway and Wolfeboro, stand out as popular destinations for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Carroll County is a rural area with no industrial or metropolitan base.

As of 2022, the population of Carroll County was 52,514, making it the third least populated County in the state, with 27% being 65 and older and 17% being 17 and younger.