Those who visit the charming villages of the Exeter area will find a wealth of history that represents the very beginnings of America. Visit sites that chronicle the birth of a nation, relive the Revolutionary War every July, and find a New Hampshire keepsake in one of the many specialty shops. Home of the American Republican Party founded by Amos Tuck, and nationally known Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter offers a look at New England living at its best.
A walk along the tree-lined streets of Exeter is a stroll through history. Since the town first was settled in 1638, there's always been a strong sense of community here. In the 1700s, colonists gathered at Folsom Tavern to discuss revolution; today, families gather at Swasey Parkway along the banks of the Squamscott River to enjoy the town's summer concert series.
Through the years, Exeter grew from a colonial village to a thriving, industrious 18th-century mill town with a river-based economy. Along the way, many historical figures emerged and gave Exeter its lasting legacy. John Taylor Gilman, native son and staunch Federalist, read a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Town House when it finally reached Exeter on July 16, 1775. After the war, President George Washington visited Exeter to formally thank the townspeople for their efforts, stopping by Folsom Tavern for breakfast. And in 1853, former state representative and abolitionist Amos Tuck broke with the Democrats over the question of slavery to form a national party called the Republicans.
History lives today at the American Independence Museum, where visitors can tour the Ladd-Gilman House, which served as the state treasury during the Revolution. Each summer, Exeter's Revolutionary War Festival is held on the museum grounds; more than 10,000 people flock to Exeter that weekend to experience a militia encampment and re-enactment of the Revolutionary War. Exeter also is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, established in 1783 and still one of the country's most distinguished private secondary schools.
Water Street, Exeter's main thoroughfare, is lined with small shops offering clothing, handmade candies, trendy gifts, books, New Hampshire-made crafts, children's toys and more. A variety of restaurants are popular gathering spots for locals and tourists alike. At the center of town is Exeter's classic bandstand, where the oldest, continuously-organized brass band in the country performs during the summer.
Exeter's industrial park, on the western edge of town, is the site of light manufacturing firms, storage companies, warehouse distribution centers and office space. Other businesses are concentrated on Portsmouth Avenue, Hampton Road and Route 111. From health and nursing care facilities to automobile dealerships and gardening centers, Exeter has attracted a diverse commercial mix.
An active recreation department hosts many town activities. Its Easter egg hunt, sports programs and bus trips to out-of-town events attract young and old participants. The local arts association sponsors musical theater, children's concerts and art exhibits at Exeter Town Hall. Reflecting its agricultural surroundings, Exeter hosts a weekly Farmers' Market during the summer.
The community is excitedly anticipating new ventures to attract tourists to Exeter, including restoration of a passenger rail service early in 2001. With its convenient proximity to nearby centers of industry, Exeter continues to be a bustling community with a wonderful spirit.
Exeter, NH
Incorporated:
1638
Community Contact:
Exeter Development Commission Sylvia von Aulock 10 Front Street Exeter, NH 03833
Telephone:
(603)778-0591
Fax:
(603) 772-4709
E-mail:
exetertm@exeternh.org
Web Site:
www.exeternh.org
City/Town Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
County:
Rockingham
Labor Market Area:
Portsmouth-Rochester
Planning Commission:
Rockingham
Tourism Region:
Seacoast
Demographics, 2000 Census:From 1990 to 2000, Exeter’s population increased by 12.6 percent to 14,058, adding 1,577 residents. The median age is 40.0, with 24.2 percent under the age of 18 and 17.0 percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 5,898, with an average size of 2.3 persons. Of those, 3,718 are family households, with an average size of 2.9 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were 6,107 total housing units.
Population density, 2002:718.3 persons per square mile of land area. Exeter contains 19.8 square miles of land area and 0.3 square miles of inland water area.
Origin:Exeter was one of the four original towns established in New Hampshire. It was first known as Squamscott, and was given the name Exeter by the settlement's managers, the "Exeter Combination," a group of English colonizers. The river location of the town made it a shipbuilding center and West Indies trading port. Exeter is home to the Phillips Exeter Academy, endowed by Colonel John Phillips in 1781, and the American Independence Museum.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
M-F 8-4:30 pm
Type of Government
Selectmen
Annual Budget (2001)
$14,385,315
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1973/03
Master Plan
2003
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Public Library
Exeter Public
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating
4/9
Emergency Medical Service
Municipal
Nearest Hospital(s):
Exeter Hospital, Exeter
Distance:Local
Staffed Beds:78
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$20.82
2002 Equalization Ratio
94.2
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$19.34
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
78.0%
Commercial
20.0%
Other
2.0%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
Exeter & Hampton Electric
Natural Gas Supplier
Northern Utilities, Inc.
Water Supplier
Exeter Water Dept.
Sanitation
Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yes
Curbside Trash Pickup
Yes
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
6,173
2001 Single-Family Units
2,985
Building Permits Issued
24
2001 Multi-Family Units
2,123
Building Permits Issued
7
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
1,065
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$170,000
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$702
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
14,192
283,808
2000
14,058
283,808
1990
12,481
245,845
1980
11,024
245,845
1970
8,892
138,951
2000 Census Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
6,654
Female
7,404
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
771
Age 5 to 19
2,908
Age 20 to 34
2,163
Age 35 to 54
4,525
Age 55 to 64
1,304
Age 65 and over
2,387
Median Age
40
Total Households
5,898
Ave. Size
2.3 persons
Total Families
3,718
Ave. Size
2.9 persons
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
88.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
38.0%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999
Per capita income
$27,105
Median 4-person family income
$63,088
Median household income
$49,618
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$45,091
Female
$30,435
Families below the poverty level
2.9%
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
State Routes
27, 85, 88, 101, 108, 111
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-95, Exit 2
Distance
6 miles
Railroad
Boston & Maine
Public Transportation
Yes
Nearest Airport
Hampton
Runway
2,100 feet
Lighted?
No
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Pease
Distance
14 miles
DISTANCE TO
Manchester, NH
28 miles
Portland, ME
67 miles
Boston, MA
53 miles
New York City, NY
260 miles
Montreal, Quebec
286 miles
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Primary & Secondary
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
3
1
1
3
Grade Levels
P K-5
6-8
9-12
K-12
Total Enrollment
1,038
1,359
1,541
1,075
If no schools, district students attend:
Distance:
Regional Career Technology Center(s):Seacoast School of Technology
Region:18
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:13
Total Capacity:660
Nearest Community/Technical College:Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities:University of NH; McIntosh
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
Exeter Hospital
Health care
1,000
1897
Philips Exeter Academy
Education
520
1781
Osram Sylvania
Electronics
318
1965
Riverwoods at Exeter
Elderly housing, health care
140
1994
Sigarms
Handguns
95
1989
Wall Industries
Electronics
82
1988
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1992
2002
Civilian Labor Force
6,770
8,005
Employed
6,358
7,662
Unemployed
412
343
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
4.3%
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
78.2%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
9.9%
Public transportation
0.8%
Walked
4.6%
Other Means
1.3%
Worked at home
5.2%
Mean Travel Time to Work
23.6 minutes
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
2001
2002
Goods Producing
Average Employment
1,356
1,034
Average Weekly Wage
$1,066
$1,000
Service Providing
Average Employment
6,613
6,924
Average Weekly Wage
$764
$703
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
7,969
7,958
Average Weekly Wage
$816
$741
Government
Average Employment
1,336
1,164
Average Weekly Wage
$634
$644
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
9,305
9,122
Average Weekly Wage
$790
$729
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
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
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
X
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
X
Youth Sports: Hockey
X
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
Other: Walking trails
Copyright 2003 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 07/24/03
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.
