Merrimack is a town that has seen continuous economic growth over the
past 13 years. Residents here are energetic and active in the community,
although many are commuters to Manchester, Nashua and Boston.
Merrimack’s location between
Manchester and
Nashua makes it a bridge between
both communities. Three interchanges off the F.E. Everett Turnpike
provide a quick and easy ride to industrial centers along I-495 in
Massachusetts and Greater Boston.
The town possesses many acres of parkland, some of which has been set
aside for sports and other recreational pursuits. Merrimack’s scenic
location affords individuals and families many opportunities for hiking,
fishing, camping, biking, swimming and hunting. The town has four parks,
an ice rink, tennis courts, Merrimack River access and town forest and
conservation land. Merrimack also offers several playgrounds, historic
sites and a large number of fine restaurants, many of which are in
restored historic homes.
With many roads off the beaten track, the community is dotted with old
homes, small farms and tranquil ponds. The Merrimack School District is
one of the region’s best and provides education to children from
readiness to 12th grade at three elementary schools, a middle school and
a high school. Thomas More College, a small, four-year college, is
located in the southern portion of town.
Merrimack, NH
Incorporated:
1746
Merrimack Town Office
PO Box 940, Town Office Merrimack, NH 03054
Telephone:
(603)424-3531
Web Site:
www.ci.merrimack.nh.us
City/Town Office Hours:
M - F: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
County:
Hillsborough
Labor Market Area:
Nashua
Planning Commission:
Nashua Regional
New Hampshire Region:
Merrimack Valley
Demographics, 2000 Census:
From 1990 to 2000, Merrimack’s population increased
by 13.4 percent to 25,119, adding 2,963 residents. Merrimack is the
eighth largest town in the state, and also had the eighth largest
numeric increase in population among the cities and towns. The median
age is 36.0, with 29.0 percent of the population under the age of 18 and
6.4 percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 8,832,
with an average size of 2.8 persons. Of those, 6,982 are family
households, with an average size of 3.2 persons. As of April 1, 2000,
there were 8,959 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:
791.7 persons per square mile of land area.
Merrimack contains 32.6 square miles of land area and 0.8 square miles
of inland water area.
Origin: Although
first occupied in 1665, settlement did not begin until 1722, when the
establishment of Brenton's Farm (Litchfield) presented the need of a
ferry across the river to reach new settlements. The ferry concession
was owned by Edward Lutwyche. When the town was separated from Nashua
(then Dunstable) in 1746, it was given the name of the river, Merrimack.
In 1774, Lutwyche's Ferry was sold to Revolutionary War patriot Matthew
Thornton, giving it the current name of Thornton's Ferry.
Municipal Services
City/Town Office Hours:
M-F 8:30-4:30 pm
Type of Government
Selectmen/Town Manager
Annual Budget 2004
$26,449,777
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1953/03
Master Plan
2002
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Merrimack Public
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating
5/9
Emergency Medical Service
Municipal & Commercial
Nearest Hospital(s):
Southern NH Regional or St.
Joseph, Nashua
Distance: 11 miles
Staffed Beds: 173; 135
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$18.51
2002 Equalization Ratio
95.6
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$17.56
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
78.6%
Commercial
20.4%
Other
1.0%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier
KeySpan
Water Supplier
Pennichuck Water Works,
Merrimack Village District
Sanitation
Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yes
Curbside Trash Pickup
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
No
Telephone Company
Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access
Yes
Cable Television Access
Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service
Business Cable Internet Service
unknown
Residential Cable Internet Service
unknown
HOUSING
2001 Total Housing Units
9,398
2001 Single-Family Units
7,920
Building Permits Issued
83
2001 Multi-Family Units
1,270
Building Permits Issued
156
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
208
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$143,300
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$882
Demographics
Total Population
Community
County
2001
25,829
388,762
2000
25,119
388,762
1990
22,156
336,073
1980
15,406
336,073
1970
8,595
223,941
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
12,514
Female
12,605
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
1,731
Age 5 to 19
6,110
Age 20 to 34
4,219
Age 35 to 54
9,183
Age 55 to 64
2,275
Age 65 and over
1,601
Median Age
36
Total Households
8,832
Ave. Size
2.8 persons
Total Families
6,982
Ave. Size
3.2 persons
Educational Attainment,
population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
92.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$27,748
Median 4-person family income
$72,011
Median household income
$68,817
Median Earnings, full-time,
year-round workers
Male
$51,725
Female
$31,528
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
3
State Routes
Everett Turnpike, 101A
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-293, Exit 3
Distance
11 miles
Railroad
Boston & Maine
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Nashua
Runway
5,501 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
11 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
14 miles
Portland, ME
108 miles
Boston, MA
51 miles
New York City, NY
236 miles
Montreal, Quebec
272 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE
FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
3
1
1
2
Grade Levels
P R-5
6-8
9-12
K-8
Total Enrollment
2,029
1,291
1,493
223
NH Licensed Child Care
Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities: 17
Total Capacity: 1,158
Nearest
Community/Technical College: Nashua
Nearest Colleges or
Universities: Thomas More; Rivier; St.
Anselm; Daniel Webster; Hesser
Largest Employers
Product / Service
Employees
Established
Fidelity
Financial services
3,500
1996
Sanders Associates, Inc.
Defense systems
816
1988
PC Connections, Inc.
Computer resale
700
1998
Kollsman Instrument Company
Electra optics
500
1991
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Malt beverages
531
1991
Nashua Corporation
Makes office papers &
computer disks
450
1973
Merrimack School District
Education
800
St. Gobain
PTFE coated fabrics
253
1984
Amherst Computer
238
1999
Town of Merrimack
Municipal Services
215
1746
Recreational Facilities
X
Municipal Parks
X
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
Golf Courses
X
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
X
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
X
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
X
Bowling Facilities
X
Museums
X
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
Youth Sports: Soccer
Youth Sports: Football
Youth Sports: Basketball
Youth Sports: Hockey
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
X
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre
Other: Anheuser-Busch Tours
Copyright 2003 Economic &
Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights
Reserved. Updated 07/10/03
All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed
reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications,
and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as
to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions
regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the
community contact.
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