Rochester, NH

Rochester, NH

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Community Contact Rochester Department of Economic Development
Karen Pollard, Economic Devlopment Manager
31 Wakefield Street, City Hall, #203
Rochester, NH 03867-1917
Telephone 335-7522
Fax (603) 335-7585
E-mail karen.pollard@rochesternh.net
Web Site www.rochesternh.net
Municipal Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
County Strafford
Tourism Region Lakes
Planning Commission Strafford Regional
Regional Development Strafford Economic Development Corp.
Election Districts
US Congress
 District 1
Executive Council
 District 2
State Senate
 District 6
State Representative
 District 67
Incorporated: 1722
Origin: This town was one of four granted by Samuel Shute of Massachusetts during his brief term. It was named for a close friend of Governor Shute, Laurence Hyde, Earl of Rochester and brother-in-law to King James II. Rochester was incorporated as a city in 1891. It includes the village of Gonic, named for the Indian Squamanagona, meaning day and water.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 2,857 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Like many cities, Rochester's population grew slowly but had a large numeric increase. Rochester grew by a total of 14,685 residents over fifty years, the ninth largest increase, going from 13,776 in 1950 to 28,461 residents in 2000. Decennial growth rates were below average, ranging from a seven percent increase between 1990-2000 to a 24 percent increase between 1980-1990. The 2003 Census estimate for Rochester was 29,654 residents, which ranked fifth among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 644.1 persons per square mile of land area. Rochester contains 44.8 square miles of land area and 0.6 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: East Rochester, Gonic, Meaderboro Corner, Melrose Corner, North Rochester, Pickering, West Gonic

MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government Council/Manager
2004 Annual Budget $74,729,425
Zoning Ordinance 1947/04
Master Plan 2001
Capitol Improvement Plan Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Board

Boards and Commissions
Elected:
 City Council
Appointed:
 Planning Board; Zoning Board; Library Trustees; Conservation Commission; Economic Development Commission; Industrial Development Authority

Public Library East Rochester Public; Rochester Public

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department Full-time
Fire Department Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating 4/9
Emergency Medical Service Municipal & hospital based

Nearest Hospital(s):
Frisbie Memorial, Rochester
Distance: Local Staffed Beds: 70

UTILITIES
Electric Supplier PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier Northern Utilities
Water Supplier Municipal

Sanitation Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Yes
Solid Waste Disposal
Curbside Trash Pickup
 Municipal
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
 No
Mandatory Recycling Program
 Voluntary

Telephone Company Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access Yes
Cable Television Access Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service:  
Business
 Yes
Residential
 Yes

PROPERTY TAXES
2003 Total Tax Rate (per $1000) $18.87
2003 Equalization Ratio 97.9
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $18.24

2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
 79.6%
Commercial Land and Buildings
 19.1%
Other Property including Utilities
 1.4%

HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units 12,109
   
2002 Single-Family Units 6,278
Building Permits Issued
 62
2002 Multi-Family Units 3,481
Building Permits Issued
 -3
2002 Manufactured Housing Units 2,350
   
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population Community County
2003 29,654 117,740
2000 28,461 112,233
1990 26,630 104,233
1980 21,560 85,408
1970 17,938 70,431

Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
 13,838 Female 14,623

Population by Age Group
Under age 5
 1,929
Age 5 to 19
 5,912
Age 20 to 34
 5,567
Age 35 to 54
 8,769
Age 55 to 64
 2,450
Age 65 and over
 3,834
Median Age
 36.7 years

Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
 82.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
 15.2%

ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income $18,859
Median 4-person family income $47,324
Median household income $40,596

Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
 $34,290
Female
 $23,319

Families below the poverty level 6.3%

LABOR FORCE
Annual Average 1993 2003
Civilian Labor Force
 14,111 15,468
Employed
 12,978 14,804
Unemployed
 1,133 664
Unemployment Rate
 8.0% 4.3%

EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003
Goods Producing Industries  
Average Employment
 2,216 1,708
Average Weekly Wage
 $477 $773
   
Service Providing Industries  
Average Employment
 6,750 8,055
Average Weekly Wage
 $389 $621
   
Total Private Industry  
Average Employment
 8,965 9,763
Average Weekly Wage
 $411 $647
   
Government (Federal, State, and Local)  
Average Employment
 918 1,295
Average Weekly Wage
 $501 $604
   
Total, Private plus Government  
Average Employment
 9,883 11,059
Average Weekly Wage
 $419 $642
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards

EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend: Rochester operates grades K-12 District: SAU 54
Career Technology Center(s): Dover HS; Somersworth HS; Creteau Reg. Voc Ctr Region: 12

Educational Facilities Elementary Middle/Junior High High School Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
 8 1 1 2
Grade Levels
 P K 1-5 6-8 9-12 K-12
Total Enrollment
 2,030 1,120 1,640
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 27 Total Capacity: 1,118
Nearest Community/Technical College: Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities: McIntosh; University of NH

LARGEST EMPLOYERS PRODUCT/SERVICE EMPLOYEES ESTABLISHED
City of Rochester Municipal services 1,449 1891
Frisbie Memorial Hospital Health care 802 1919
Enterasys Networks Computer Networking 465 1989
KW Thompson Tool, Inc Firearms/Investment Castings 600 1963
Spaulding Composities Insulation Tubing 100 1873
Wal-Mart Department store 210 1996
Willey Brothers Merchandising Fixtures 225 1983
Lydall Technical Papers Technical papers 175 1970
Home Depot Home Supply Retailer 180 2001
WaterPik Technologies Oil/Gas fired heating units 170 1989

TRANSPORTATION
Road Access Federal Routes 202
  State Routes 11, 16, 108, 125, Spaulding Tpk.
Nearest Interstate, Exit I-95, Exit 12-14
         Distance 20 miles
Railroad NH Northcoast
Public Transportation Yes
Nearest Airport Rochester
Runway
     4,001 feet
Lighted?
 Yes Navigational Aids? Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport Manchester
Distance
 40 miles

Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
 43 miles
Portland, ME
 72 miles
Boston, MA
 76 miles
New York City, NY
 283 miles
Montreal, Quebec
 278 miles

COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census)
Workers 16 years and over  
Drove alone, car/truck/van
 82.5%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
 12.0%
Public transportation
 0.6%
Walked
 1.2%
Other Means
 1.4%
Worked at home
 2.3%
Mean Travel Time to Work 23.7 minutes

Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
 36%
Commuting to another NH community
 57%
Commuting out-of-state
 7%
   
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X Municipal Parks
X 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
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
X Snowmobile Trails
X Bicycle Trails
X Cross Country Skiing
X Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
   
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
   
Other: Rochester Fair; Live performances; Moonlight madness; Opera house; Skyhaven Airport; Farmer's markets, Art galleries

Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/23/04

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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