Rockingham County
County
Aerial view of Portsmouth
Aerial view of Portsmouth
Flag of Rockingham County
Flag
Official seal of Rockingham County
Seal
Map of New Hampshire highlighting Rockingham 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: 42°57′46″N 71°04′39″W / 42.962872°N 71.077621°W / 42.962872; -71.077621
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1769
Named forCharles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
SeatBrentwood
Largest townDerry
Area
 • Total795.2 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Land695.4 sq mi (1,801 km2)
 • Water99.9 sq mi (259 km2)  12.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total314,176
 • Estimate 
(2022)
319,424 Increase
 • Density400/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.rockinghamcountynh.org

Rockingham County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 314,176,[1] making it New Hampshire's second-most populous county. The county seat is Brentwood.[2] Rockingham County is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area and the greater Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. Per the 2020 census, it was New Hampshire's fastest growing county from 2010 to 2020.[3]

As of 2014–2018 estimates from the American Community Survey, Rockingham County was the 4th wealthiest county in New England, with a median household income of $90,429.[4]

History

The area that today is Rockingham County was first settled by Europeans moving north from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts as early as 1623. The government was linked tightly with Massachusetts until New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679, but counties were not introduced until 1769.

Rockingham was identified in 1769 as one of five original counties for the colony. It is named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766. The county was organized in 1771, with its county seat at Exeter. In 1823, certain townships from northwestern Rockingham (and some northern townships from Hillsborough Country) became part of the formation of Merrimack County. In 1844, its area was further reduced by the formation of Belknap County to the northwest. In 1997, the county court facilities were moved to Brentwood, a rural town adjacent to Exeter.[5]

Geography

The county occupies the southeastern corner of the state of New Hampshire, and it contains the state's easternmost point. The county contains all of New Hampshire's Atlantic coast, which, at approximately 18 miles (29 km), is the shortest ocean coastline of any state in the U.S.[6] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 795 square miles (2,060 km2), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km2) are land and 100 square miles (260 km2) (13%) are water.[7] Its highest point is Nottingham Mountain, at 1,340 feet (410 m), in Deerfield.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179043,184—
180045,4275.2%
181050,17510.5%
182055,24610.1%
183044,325−19.8%
184045,7713.3%
185049,1947.5%
186050,1221.9%
187047,297−5.6%
188049,0643.7%
189049,6501.2%
190051,1183.0%
191052,1882.1%
192052,4980.6%
193053,7502.4%
194058,1428.2%
195070,05920.5%
196099,02941.4%
1970138,95140.3%
1980190,34537.0%
1990245,84529.2%
2000277,35912.8%
2010295,2236.4%
2020314,1766.4%
2022 (est.)319,424[8]1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 295,223 people, 115,033 households, and 79,832 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 425.0 inhabitants per square mile (164.1/km2). There were 126,709 housing units at an average density of 182.4 per square mile (70.4/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.7% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were Irish, 19.0% were English, 14.8% were Italian, 9.7% were German, 7.3% were French Canadian, 5.6% were Polish, and 3.8% were American.[15]

Of the 115,033 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 42.2 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $75,825 and the median income for a family was $90,463. Males had a median income of $61,443 versus $42,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,889. About 3.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families living in the county. The population density was 399 inhabitants per square mile (154/km2). There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile (63/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.80% White, 0.58% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of Irish, 14.6% English, 11.8% Italian, 10.5% French, 8.0% French Canadian, 6.0% German and 5.6% American ancestry. 94.3% spoke English, 1.8% French and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 104,529 households, out of which 35.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 32.80% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $58,150, and the median income for a family was $66,345. (These figures had risen to $72,600 and $85,361 respectively, as of a 2007 estimate.) Males had a median income of $45,598 versus $30,741 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,656. About 3.10% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

Rockingham County has historically been a Republican stronghold, but the county is now competitive. Three Democratic presidential nominees have won it since 1964, including Joe Biden in 2020, who was the first to win a majority since Lyndon B. Johnson.

The county is divided between the Democratic stronghold that is the Seacoast Region, and the conservative western portions of the county.

Rockingham County is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.[lower-alpha 1]

United States presidential election results for Rockingham County, New Hampshire[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 95,858 48.09% 100,064 50.20% 3,420 1.72%
2016 90,447 49.85% 79,994 44.09% 10,993 6.06%
2012 87,921 51.59% 80,142 47.03% 2,360 1.38%
2008 81,917 48.81% 83,723 49.89% 2,182 1.30%
2004 82,069 51.68% 75,437 47.50% 1,310 0.82%
2000 65,860 49.09% 61,628 45.93% 6,685 4.98%
1996 46,201 40.80% 53,644 47.37% 13,403 11.84%
1992 47,353 38.25% 44,317 35.80% 32,136 25.96%
1988 64,034 63.15% 35,775 35.28% 1,596 1.57%
1984 57,586 69.01% 25,557 30.63% 297 0.36%
1980 45,960 57.83% 21,712 27.32% 11,802 14.85%
1976 36,738 53.92% 30,051 44.11% 1,341 1.97%
1972 38,825 63.09% 21,998 35.75% 718 1.17%
1968 28,842 54.98% 21,195 40.41% 2,419 4.61%
1964 19,498 41.70% 27,256 58.30% 0 0.00%
1960 28,032 62.16% 17,063 37.84% 0 0.00%
1956 28,226 73.42% 10,198 26.53% 18 0.05%
1952 26,280 68.58% 12,040 31.42% 0 0.00%
1948 18,890 60.68% 11,937 38.35% 301 0.97%
1944 17,144 56.55% 13,170 43.44% 2 0.01%
1940 16,223 53.68% 14,001 46.32% 0 0.00%
1936 15,466 54.75% 12,207 43.21% 576 2.04%
1932 14,902 56.44% 11,363 43.03% 140 0.53%
1928 17,590 69.18% 7,782 30.61% 53 0.21%
1924 14,530 68.42% 6,073 28.60% 634 2.99%
1920 13,811 67.29% 6,582 32.07% 132 0.64%
1916 5,866 50.29% 5,637 48.32% 162 1.39%
1912 4,231 37.54% 4,306 38.21% 2,733 24.25%
1908 6,814 60.34% 4,118 36.47% 361 3.20%
1904 7,216 60.97% 4,320 36.50% 299 2.53%
1900 7,363 59.29% 4,719 38.00% 337 2.71%
1896 7,881 69.32% 2,992 26.32% 496 4.36%
1892 6,380 50.75% 5,961 47.42% 230 1.83%
1888 6,450 48.76% 6,553 49.54% 226 1.71%
1884 6,162 50.63% 5,682 46.69% 326 2.68%
1880 6,960 53.25% 5,989 45.82% 121 0.93%
1876 6,422 53.51% 5,576 46.46% 3 0.02%

County Commission

The executive power of Rockingham County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.[18]

Districts Name Hometown Party
District 1 Kate Coyle Portsmouth, NH Democratic
District 2 Steven L. Goddu Salem, NH Republican
District 3 Brian Chirichiello Derry, NH 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 Patricia Conway (R)
Register of Deeds Cathy Stacey (R)
County Sheriff Chuck Massahos (R)
Register of Probate Lisa Massahos (R)
County Treasurer Scott Priestley (R)

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Rockingham County is made up of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of August 2018 there are 90 members from 37 different districts.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 29 32.2%
Republican Party 61 67.8%
Total 90 100%

After redistricting based on the 2010 United States census, Rockingham County was split between 8 state senate districts:[20]

District Areas of Rockingham County Senator Party First elected Residence
14 Londonderry, Auburn Sharon Carson Republican 2010 Londonderry
16 Candia Kevin Cavanaugh Democratic 2017 Manchester
17 Raymond, Northwood, Nottingham, Deerfield John Reagan Republican 2012 Deerfield
19 Windham, Derry, Hampstead Regina Birdsell Republican 2014 Hampstead
21 Portsmouth, Newington, Newmarket, Newfields Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Democratic 2020 Portsmouth
22 Salem, Atkinston, Plaistow Chuck Morse Republican 2010 Salem
23 Exeter, Brentwood, Epping, Fremont, Kingston, East Kingston, Danville, Sandown, Chester Bill Gannon Republican 2020 Sandown
24 New Castle, Rye, Stratham, North Hampton, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington, South Hampton Newton Tom Sherman Democratic 2018 Rye

Attractions

Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth is a collection of historic buildings from the 17th through 19th centuries. Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, is an amusement park that opened in 1902. Rockingham Park racetrack, which featured weekly horse racing until 2009, was also in Salem. The site of the former track, next to the Mall at Rockingham Park, is being redeveloped as Tuscan Village, a mixed-use development. America's Stonehenge, which claims to be a pre-Columbian collection of stone structures, is in northern Salem. Derry was home to poet Robert Frost, who taught at nearby Pinkerton Academy. His home, the Robert Frost Farm, has been preserved as a state park.

Rockingham County is also home to New Hampshire's entire seacoast and features several popular resort towns. Hampton Beach has a boardwalk and Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Rye features several undeveloped beaches such as Odiorne Point State Park and contains New Hampshire's portion of the Isles of Shoals. Seabrook contains Seabrook Greyhound Park and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, the last nuclear plant opened in the United States.

Communities

Map of school administrative units in Rockingham County

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Villages

Education

School districts include:[21]

K-12 districts
  • Epping School District
  • Londonderry School District
  • Newmarket School District
  • Portsmouth School District
  • Raymond School District
  • Salem School District
  • Sanborn Regional School District
  • Timberlane Regional School District
  • Windham School District
Secondary districts
  • Exeter Regional Cooperative School District
  • Winnacunnet Cooperative School District
Elementary districts
  • Auburn School District
  • Brentwood School District
  • Candia School District
  • Chester School District
  • Deerfield School District
  • Derry School District
  • East Kingston School District
  • Exeter School District
  • Fremont School District
  • Greenland School District
  • Hampstead School District
  • Hampton School District
  • Hampton Falls School District
  • Kensington School District
  • New Castle School District
  • Newfields School District
  • Newington School District
  • North Hampton School District
  • Northwood School District
  • Nottingham School District
  • Rye School District
  • Seabrook School District
  • South Hampton School District
  • Stratham School District

There is also a privately endowed, publicly funded school, Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Towns in Rockingham County that send their public high school students to Pinkerton, other than Derry, include: Auburn, Candia, Chester, and Hampstead.[22] Prior to 1978 Londonderry sent its high schoolers to Pinkerton.[23] Previously Auburn and Candia sent high school students to the Manchester School District.[24][25]

Notable people

See also

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data".
  4. ↑ Bureau, US Census. "American Community Survey (ACS)". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Ignoring quality issues at courthouse is criminal". The Exeter News-Letter. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  6. ↑ des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/documents/coastal_access_map.pdf
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. 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.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  18. ↑ "County Offices - 2016 General Election". New Hampshire Department of State. Archived from the original on May 31, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Departments – Rockingham County, NH".
  20. ↑ "NH-SOS - 2020 Election Information".
  21. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rockingham 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. ↑ "LONDONDERRY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SAU #12, LONDONDERRY, NH" (PDF). Londonderry School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ Huss, Julie (March 17, 2011). "Pinkerton welcomes Auburn". Derry News. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  25. ↑ Huss, Julie (March 15, 2016). "Candia voters say yes to Pinkerton". Derry News. Retrieved April 24, 2022.

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