Town of Chester Planning Department Cynthia Robinson, Planning Coordinator PO Box 217, Municipal Office Building Chester, NH 03036
Telephone:
(603)887-5629
Fax:
(603) 887-4404
E-mail:
chstrpl@Gsinet.net
Web Site:
not available
City/Town Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 am - 12:30 pm, and Tuesday, 8 am - 4 pm
County:
Rockingham
Labor Market Area:
Lawrence, MA-NH
Planning Commission:
Southern NH
Tourism Region:
Merrimack Valley
Demographics, 2000 Census:From 1990 to 2000, Chester’s population grew by 40.1 percent to 3,792, a numeric increase of 1,101. The median age is 35.7, with 31.0 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 6.1 percent age 65 and older, the eighth lowest percent of people in that age group among the cities and towns. The total number of households is 1,214, with an average size of 3.1 persons. Of those, 1,011 are family households, with an average size of 3.4 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were 1,247 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:157.2 persons per square mile of land area. Chester contains 26.0 square miles of land area and 0.1 square miles of inland water area.
Origin:First called the "chestnut country," it may have been the first of the settlement grants by Massachusetts selected for expansion of growing populations in the seacoast. The name may have derived from Cheshire, Chester being the county seat of Cheshire in England. Earl of Chester is a title held by the Prince of Wales.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
MWThF 8-12:30, T 8-4 pm
Type of Government
Selectmen
Annual Budget (2001)
$8,536,145
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1960/03
Master Plan
1997
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Chester Public
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Volunteer
Town Fire Insurance Rating
9/10
Emergency Medical Service
Volunteer
Nearest Hospital(s):
Parkland Medical Center, Derry
Distance:5 miles
Staffed Beds:82
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$28.13
2002 Equalization Ratio
70.9
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$19.74
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
94.1%
Commercial
2.8%
Other
3.1%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH; NH Electric Coop.
Natural Gas Supplier
None
Water Supplier
Private wells
Sanitation
Private septic
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
No
Curbside Trash Pickup
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
Yes
Telephone Company
Granite State; 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
1,417
2001 Single-Family Units
1,349
Building Permits Issued
79
2001 Multi-Family Units
42
Building Permits Issued
0
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
26
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$170,900
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$695
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
4,094
283,808
2000
3,792
283,808
1990
2,691
245,845
1980
2,006
245,845
1970
1,382
138,951
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
1,875
Female
1,917
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
315
Age 5 to 19
961
Age 20 to 34
564
Age 35 to 54
1,422
Age 55 to 64
300
Age 65 and over
230
Median Age
35.7
Total Households
1,214
Ave. Size
3.1 persons
Total Families
1,011
Ave. Size
3.4 persons
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
92.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher
31.1%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$23,842
Median 4-person family income
$75,092
Median household income
$68,571
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$44,056
Female
$35,382
Families below the poverty level
3.4%
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
102, 121
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-93, Exit 4
Distance
7 miles
Railroad
No
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Manchester
Runway
7,573 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
13 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
12 miles
Portland, ME
86 miles
Boston, MA
48 miles
New York City, NY
248 miles
Montreal, Quebec
273 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
1
Grade Levels
1-8
Total Enrollment
601
If no schools, district students attend:Pinkerton Academy, Derry
Distance:5 miles
Regional Career Technology Center(s):Pinkerton Academy; Salem High School
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
Golf Courses
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
Bowling Facilities
Museums
Cinemas
Performing Arts Facilities
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
Youth Sports: Hockey
Campgrounds
Fishing/Hunting
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
Bicycle Trails
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre
Other: Summer programs
Copyright 2003 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 05/28/03
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.
