Merrimack County
County
Merrimack County Courthouse, 2019
Merrimack County Courthouse, 2019
Official seal of Merrimack County
Seal
Map of New Hampshire highlighting Merrimack County
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
Map of the United States highlighting New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°18′N 71°41′W / 43.3°N 71.68°W / 43.3; -71.68
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1823
Named forMerrimack River
SeatConcord
Largest cityConcord
Area
 • Total955.0 sq mi (2,473 km2)
 • Land932.9 sq mi (2,416 km2)
 • Water22.1 sq mi (57 km2)  2.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total153,808
 • Estimate 
(2022)
156,020 Increase
 • Density164.9/sq mi (63.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.merrimackcounty.net

Merrimack County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 153,808,[1] making it the 3rd most populous county in New Hampshire. Its county seat is Concord,[2] the state capital. The county was organized in 1823 from parts of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties,[3] and is named for the Merrimack River.[4] Merrimack County comprises the Concord, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn constitutes a portion of the Boston–Worcester–Providence, MA–RI–NH–CT Combined Statistical Area. In 2010, the center of population of New Hampshire was located in Merrimack County, in the town of Pembroke.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 956 square miles (2,480 km2), of which 934 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (2.3%) is water.[6] It is the 3rd largest county in New Hampshire by land area. The highest point in Merrimack county is Mount Kearsarge, on the border of Warner and Wilmot, at 2,937 feet (895 m).

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
183034,614—
184036,2534.7%
185040,33711.3%
186041,4082.7%
187042,1511.8%
188046,3009.8%
189049,4356.8%
190052,4306.1%
191053,3351.7%
192051,770−2.9%
193056,1528.5%
194060,7108.1%
195063,0223.8%
196067,7857.6%
197080,92519.4%
198098,30221.5%
1990120,00522.1%
2000136,22513.5%
2010146,4457.5%
2020153,8085.0%
2022 (est.)156,020[7]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[12]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 136,225 people, 51,843 households, and 35,460 families living in the county. The population density was 146 inhabitants per square mile (56/km2). There were 56,244 housing units at an average density of 60 units per square mile (23/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.08% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.5% were of English, 13.4% Irish, 12.7% French, 11.0% French Canadian, 8.4% American, 6.4% German and 6.0% Italian ancestry. 94.2% spoke English, 2.9% French and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 51,843 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,522, and the median income for a family was $56,842. Males had a median income of $37,722 versus $27,207 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,208. About 4.10% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 146,445 people, 57,069 households, and 38,104 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 156.8 inhabitants per square mile (60.5/km2). There were 63,541 housing units at an average density of 68.0 per square mile (26.3/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 1.6% Asian, 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 20.5% were English, 20.4% were Irish, 10.1% were German, 9.7% were Italian, 9.7% were French Canadian, 5.2% were Scottish, and 4.9% were American.[16]

Of the 57,069 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 41.4 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $63,012 and the median income for a family was $75,268. Males had a median income of $50,880 versus $37,351 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,544. About 5.2% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Politics and government

United States presidential election results for Merrimack County, New Hampshire[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 39,711 44.06% 48,533 53.85% 1,889 2.10%
2016 37,674 45.04% 40,198 48.06% 5,776 6.91%
2012 34,524 42.88% 44,756 55.59% 1,234 1.53%
2008 34,010 42.46% 45,078 56.27% 1,018 1.27%
2004 36,060 47.05% 39,975 52.15% 612 0.80%
2000 30,028 47.15% 30,622 48.08% 3,034 4.76%
1996 21,231 37.78% 29,381 52.28% 5,588 9.94%
1992 22,114 37.59% 24,437 41.54% 12,283 20.88%
1988 29,535 60.66% 18,637 38.28% 514 1.06%
1984 27,925 67.16% 13,510 32.49% 144 0.35%
1980 23,584 56.21% 12,083 28.80% 6,293 15.00%
1976 21,853 58.62% 14,865 39.87% 564 1.51%
1972 25,354 67.70% 11,737 31.34% 362 0.97%
1968 19,289 57.94% 12,711 38.18% 1,292 3.88%
1964 12,564 38.80% 19,818 61.20% 0 0.00%
1960 20,395 60.57% 13,278 39.43% 0 0.00%
1956 22,060 71.68% 8,711 28.31% 3 0.01%
1952 21,824 67.92% 10,310 32.08% 0 0.00%
1948 16,586 59.37% 11,171 39.99% 178 0.64%
1944 14,599 52.17% 13,382 47.82% 2 0.01%
1940 14,923 50.39% 14,692 49.61% 0 0.00%
1936 14,456 51.05% 13,645 48.18% 218 0.77%
1932 13,986 51.98% 12,805 47.59% 117 0.43%
1928 15,724 60.63% 10,139 39.09% 72 0.28%
1924 13,587 59.88% 8,283 36.50% 822 3.62%
1920 12,748 58.28% 8,976 41.04% 148 0.68%
1916 5,970 49.16% 5,967 49.14% 207 1.70%
1912 4,632 39.08% 4,741 40.00% 2,480 20.92%
1908 6,932 56.51% 4,846 39.50% 489 3.99%
1904 7,433 59.74% 4,740 38.09% 270 2.17%
1900 7,517 57.65% 5,248 40.25% 274 2.10%
1896 7,715 65.67% 3,310 28.17% 724 6.16%
1892 6,116 49.69% 5,919 48.09% 274 2.23%
1888 6,001 48.14% 6,119 49.09% 346 2.78%
1884 6,005 50.59% 5,513 46.45% 351 2.96%
1880 5,935 49.95% 5,922 49.84% 26 0.22%
1876 5,660 49.85% 5,687 50.08% 8 0.07%

Merrimack County was reliably Republican, with Democrats only carrying the county in 4 out of 29 presidential elections from 1876 to 1988. Since then, Democrats carried the county every time.

County Commission

The executive power of Merrimack County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.

District Commissioner Hometown Party
1 Tara Reardon Concord Democratic
2 Stuart Trachy Franklin Republican
3 David Lovlien Jr. Pembroke Republican

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.[19]

Office Name
County Attorney Paul Halvorsen (R)
Register of Deeds Erica Davis (D)
County Sheriff David Croft (D)
Register of Probate Jane Bradstreet (D)
County Treasurer Mary Heath (R)

[20]

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Merrimack County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of 2022 there are 45 members from 30 different districts.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 25 56.5%
Republican Party 20 43.5%
Total 45 100%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Villages

Education

School districts include:[21]

K-12 districts:

  • Bow School District
  • Concord School District
  • Franklin School District
  • Hopkinton School District
  • Kearsarge Regional School District
  • Merrimack Valley School District
  • Newfound Area School District
  • Pembroke School District
  • Pittsfield School District
  • Shaker Regional School District
  • Winnisquam Regional School District

Secondary districts:

  • John Stark Regional School District

Elementary districts:

  • Allenstown School District
  • Andover School District
  • Chichester School District
  • Dunbarton School District
  • Epsom School District
  • Henniker School District
  • Hill School District
  • Hooksett School District

Hooksett sends its high school students to Pinkerton Academy, a privately endowed publicly funded high school in Derry, Rockingham County.[22] Previously Hooksett sent high school students to the Manchester School District.[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Atlas of Historical County Boundaries". The Newberry Library, Dr. William M. Scholl Center for American History and Culture. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Merrimack County, New Hampshire Local History & Genealogy". Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "2020 Annual Resident Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Merrimack County Directory".
  20. ↑ "General Election Winners - 11/08/2022" (PDF). New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office. November 8, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  21. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Merrimack County, NH" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  22. ↑ "Sending towns". Pinkerton Academy. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  23. ↑ Doyle, Megan (December 8, 2013). "Hooksett students could attend high school in Bow, Londonderry". Concord Monitor. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
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