Litchfield has traded an agricultural past for the
comfortable mantel of quiet bedroom community. Signs of its heritage
remain, as is evident in a drive down the town’s major artery, Route 3A,
with its lush green fields, occasional cows and horses, and antique
farmhouses. The small town is situated very near I-293 and the
Manchester Airport, which makes it ideal for residents who commute
almost anywhere. Low crime, privacy and a peaceful atmosphere are
several of Litchfield’s benefits. One-acre zoning is intended to
preserve the town’s rural quality. Although residences are the most
prominent structures in Litchfield, there are a few restaurants and
small businesses in town. Litchfield is home to Tee-Off at Mel’s, a
popular driving range, batting cage, miniature golf and mini racing car
track facility, which lures local athletes from surrounding towns. For
serious golfers, the Passaconaway 18-hole golf course is available.
Litchfield, NH
Incorporated:
1734
Community Contact:
Town of Litchfield Diane Jerry Two Liberty Way, Suite 3 Litchfield, NH 03052
Telephone:
(603)424-4045
Fax:
(603) 424-3014
E-mail:
not available
Web Site:
www.litchfield.mv.com
City/Town Office Hours:
Town Clerk/Tax Collector:
Monday, 10 am - 6 pm, Tuesday, 9 am - 4 pm, and Wednesday
through Friday, 8 am - 3 pm
County:
Hillsborough
Labor Market Area:
Nashua
Planning Commission:
Nashua Regional
Tourism Region:
Merrimack Valley
Demographics, 2000 Census:
From 1990 to 2000, population in Litchfield
increased by 33.4 percent to 7,360, adding 1,844 residents. The median
age is 33.2, the ninth lowest among the cities and towns, with 33.4
percent of the population under the age of 18, the fourth highest
percent, and 3.5 percent age 65 and older, the lowest percent of people
in this age group in the state. The total number of households is 2,357,
with an average size of 3.1 persons. Of those, 2,031 are family
households, with an average size of 3.4 persons. As of April 1, 2000,
there were 2,389 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:
509.5 persons per square mile of land area.
Litchfield contains 14.9 square miles of land area and 0.4 square miles
of inland water area.
Origin: Known as
Naticook until 1729 when the land was granted as Brenton's Farm to
William Brenton, Governor of Rhode Island and son-in-law to Governor
Cranston. Following Brenton's death in 1749, the land was granted to new
settlers, and named in honor of George Henry Lee, Earl of Litchfield.
Litchfield was the opposite landing-site of Thornton's Ferry,
originating across the Merrimack River in the town of Merrimack.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
Clerk/Tax Collector: M 10-6,
T 9-4, WThF 8-3
Type of Government
Selectmen
Annual Budget 2003
$2,708,014
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1957/02
Master Plan
1991
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Aaron Cutler Memorial
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating
5/9
Emergency Medical Service
Volunteer
Nearest Hospital(s):
Southern NH Regional or St.
Joseph, Nashua
Distance: 8 miles
Staffed Beds: 173; 135
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$24.83
2002 Equalization Ratio
69.9
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$16.95
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
90.9%
Commercial
6.5%
Other
2.6%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier
KeySpan
Water Supplier
Pennichuck East
Sanitation
Private septic
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
No
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
Limited
Residential Cable Internet Service
Limited
HOUSING
2001 Total Housing Units
2,477
2001 Single-Family Units
2,102
Building Permits Issued
13
2001 Multi-Family Units
254
Building Permits Issued
4
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
121
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$154,800
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$766
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
7,604
388,762
2000
7,360
388,762
1990
5,516
336,073
1980
4,150
336,073
1970
1,420
223,941
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
3,700
Female
3,660
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
682
Age 5 to 19
1,925
Age 20 to 34
1,366
Age 35 to 54
2,717
Age 55 to 64
409
Age 65 and over
261
Median Age
33.2
Total Households
2,357
Ave. Size
3.1 persons
Total Families
2,031
Ave. Size
3.4 persons
Educational Attainment,
population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
92.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
33.3%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$25,203
Median 4-person family income
$76,931
Median household income
$73,302
Median Earnings, full-time,
year-round workers
Male
$46,809
Female
$33,488
Families below the poverty level
2.2%
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
3A
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-93, Exit 4
Distance
9 miles
Railroad
No
Public Transportation
No
Nearest Airport
Manchester
Runway
9,250 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
8 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
11 miles
Portland, ME
105 miles
Boston, MA
51 miles
New York City, NY
236 miles
Montreal, Quebec
270 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE
FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
1
1
1
1
Grade Levels
P-4
5-8
9-11
1-12
Total Enrollment
584
560
346
110
If no schools, district students
attend: Alvirne High School, Hudson
Distance: 7 miles
Regional Career Technology
Center(s): Nashua, Alvirne & Milford High
Schools
Region: 16
NH Licensed Child Care
Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities: 4
Total Capacity: 96
Nearest
Community/Technical College: Nashua;
Manchester
Nearest Colleges or
Universities: Daniel Webster; Rivier;
Thomas More; Hesser; St. Anselm
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
NE Small Tube
Manufacturing
70
PC & F
Publishing
40
Rodonis Farm
Farming
12
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1992
2002
Civilian Labor Force
3,446
4,136
Employed
3,250
3,873
Unemployed
196
263
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
6.4%
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
87.7%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
9.8%
Public transportation
0.4%
Walked
0.0%
Other Means
0.2%
Worked at home
1.9%
Mean Travel Time to Work
30.9 minutes
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
2001
2002
Goods Producing
Average Employment
160
154
Average Weekly Wage
$869
$919
Service Providing
Average Employment
317
314
Average Weekly Wage
$536
$428
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
477
467
Average Weekly Wage
$648
$590
Government
Average Employment
258
272
Average Weekly Wage
$539
$552
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
735
740
Average Weekly Wage
$610
$576
n = indicates that the data does
not meet disclosure standards
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
X
Golf Courses
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
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
X
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre
Other:
Copyright 2003 Economic &
Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights
Reserved. Updated 06/09/03
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.
