Derry is the state’s fourth largest community,
behind Manchester,
Nashua and
Concord. Although technically a
town, Derry offers big city amenities including a bustling downtown,
which was recently revitalized through the New Hampshire Main Street
program. The town invested more than $1.5 million in the restoration of
the historic Opera House and transformed the appearance of the downtown
streetscape. Outside of the central business district, about 90 percent
of Derry is still rural, providing homeowners with privacy and space.
Other attractions include an excellent school system and ample
recreational facilities, including Beaver Lake, a new health club, golf
courses, a bike path system and walking trails.
Derry, NH
Incorporated:
1827
Community Contact:
Derry Planning Department George H. Sioras, Community Dev Dir 14 Manning St. Derry, NH 03038
Telephone:
(603)432-6110
Fax:
(603) 432-6109
E-mail:
planning@ci.derry.nh.us
Web Site:
www.derry.nh.us
City/Town Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 7 am -
4 pm, plus Wednesday until 7 pm
County:
Rockingham
Labor Market Area:
Lawrence, MA-NH
Planning Commission:
Southern NH
Tourism Region:
Merrimack Valley
Demographics, 2000 Census:
From 1990 to 2000, Derry’s population increased by
14.9 percent, adding 4,418 residents for a total of 34,021. It is the
fourth largest community in the state, and had the fifth largest numeric
increase in population. The median age is 33.6, the tenth lowest in the
state, with 30.1 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 6.2
percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 12,327, with
an average size of 2.7 persons. Of those, 8,785 are family households,
with an average size of 3.2 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were
12,735 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:
971.9 persons per square mile of land area, the 9th
highest among the cities and towns. Derry contains 35.4 square miles of
land area and 0.9 square miles of inland water area.
Origin: Although
first settled in 1719, Derry was not incorporated until 1827. It was for
a long time part of Londonderry, which included Windham and portions of
Manchester, Salem, and Hudson. The town was named for the Isle of Derry,
Ireland, the Gaelic word "Doire" meaning oak woods. Derry is the
location of Robert Frost's farm, and the birthplace of astronaut Alan
Shepard. It is also the location of two of America's oldest private
schools, Pinkerton Academy, founded in 1814 and still in operation, and
the Adams Female Seminary.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
M-F 7-4 pm; plus W until 7pm
Type of Government
Town Admin./Council
Annual Budget 2003
$35,500,209
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1946/03
Master Plan
2003
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Derry Public;Taylor Library
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating
4/9
Emergency Medical Service
Municipal
Nearest Hospital(s):
Parkland Medical Center, Derry
Distance: Local
Staffed Beds: 82
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$25.95
2002 Equalization Ratio
76.9
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$22.13
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
73.0%
Commercial
26.0%
Other
1.0%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH; NH Elec.; Granite
State
Natural Gas Supplier
KeySpan
Water Supplier
Derry Water Department
Sanitation
Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yes
Curbside Trash Pickup
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
Yes
Telephone Company
Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access
Yes
Cable Television Access
Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service
Business Cable Internet Service
Yes
Residential Cable Internet Service
Yes
HOUSING
2001 Total Housing Units
12,885
2001 Single-Family Units
7,852
Building Permits Issued
40
2001 Multi-Family Units
4,460
Building Permits Issued
5
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
573
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$134,900
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$734
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
34,436
283,808
2000
34,021
283,808
1990
29,603
245,845
1980
18,875
245,845
1970
11,712
138,951
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
16,893
Female
17,128
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
2,436
Age 5 to 19
8,653
Age 20 to 34
6,809
Age 35 to 54
11,816
Age 55 to 64
2,204
Age 65 and over
2,103
Median Age
33.6
Total Households
12,327
Ave. Size
2.7 persons
Total Families
8,785
Ave. Size
3.2 persons
Educational Attainment,
population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
90.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
26.3%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$22,315
Median 4-person family income
$61,625
Median household income
$54,634
Median Earnings, full-time,
year-round workers
Male
$41,271
Female
$30,108
Families below the poverty level
3.3%
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
28, 102, 111
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-93, Exit 4
Distance
1 mile
Railroad
No
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Manchester
Runway
9,250 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
13 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
12 miles
Portland, ME
94 miles
Boston, MA
42 miles
New York City, NY
242 miles
Montreal, Quebec
269 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE
FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
5
2
1
3
Grade Levels
1-5
6-8
9-12
P K-12
Total Enrollment
2,780
1,868
3,136
766
If no schools, district students
attend:
Distance:
Regional Career Technology
Center(s): Pinkerton Academy; Salem High
School
Nearest Colleges or
Universities: White Pines; Hesser;
Southern NH University; UNH-Manchester; St. Anselm
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
Derry Cooperative School System
Education
850
HCA Health Services of NH
Health care
administration
850
Shaw's Supermarket
Supermarket
225
1980
TMC Group
Fragrance, seasonal
gifts
75
1972
Electronics Corporation
Industrial controls
100
1980
Standard Sash & Door Co.
Door, window units
100
1971
McCord Winn & Textron, Inc.
Automotive components
100
1982
Eastern Rainbow, Inc.
Color separations
80
1977
Wal-mart
Department store
125
1992
Victory
Supermarket
149
2000
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1992
2002
Civilian Labor Force
17,993
22,015
Employed
16,320
20,513
Unemployed
1,673
1,502
Unemployment Rate
9.3%
6.8%
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
84.9%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
9.7%
Public transportation
0.8%
Walked
1.4%
Other Means
0.6%
Worked at home
2.7%
Mean Travel Time to Work
31.1 minutes
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
2001
2002
Goods Producing
Average Employment
1,781
1,277
Average Weekly Wage
$696
$729
Service Providing
Average Employment
5,717
5,668
Average Weekly Wage
$555
$560
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
7,497
6,945
Average Weekly Wage
$589
$591
Government
Average Employment
1,021
1,031
Average Weekly Wage
$614
$622
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
8,518
7,977
Average Weekly Wage
$592
$595
n = indicates that the data does
not meet disclosure standards
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
X
Boys Club/Girls Club
X
Golf Courses
X
Swimming: Indoor Facility
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
Bowling Facilities
Museums
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
X
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
X
Youth Sports: Hockey
X
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
X
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre
Other: Lakes with public beach; Robert Frost
Homestead; Skateboard Park
Copyright 2003 Economic &
Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights
Reserved. Updated 05/30/03
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.
