Rochester NH, known as the
Lilac City, is located in southeastern New
Hampshire. With a population of almost 29,000,
Rochester is the largest city in the seacoast
region and fourth largest city in New Hampshire.
Encompassing over 46 square miles of rolling
hills and rivers, Rochester is conveniently
located only a short distance from New
Hampshire's famous Lakes Region, the White
Mountains with its ski resorts and the Seacoast
with its superb beaches. Whether covered with
its famous lilacs in the spring, flowers
blooming in the summer, spectacular autumn
foliage or fresh-fallen snow, the Rochester area
is a scenic delight.
Rochester, NH
Incorporated:
1722
Community Contact:
Rochester Department of
Planning & Development
Kenneth Ortmann, Director of Planning &
Development
31 Wakefield Street, City Hall, Second
Floor
Rochester, NH 03867-1917
Telephone:
(603)335-1338
Fax:
(603) 335-7585
E-mail:
kenn.ortmann@rochesternh.net
Web Site:
www.rochesternh.net
City/Town Office Hours:
Monday through Friday,
8 am - 5 pm
County:
Strafford
Labor Market Area:
Portsmouth-Rochester
Planning Commission:
Strafford Regional
Tourism Region:
Lakes
Demographics, 2000 Census: From 1990 to
2000, Rochester’s population grew by 6.9
percent, adding 1,831 residents for a total of
28,461. It is the fifth largest community in the
state. The median age is 36.7, with 25.3 percent
of the population under the age of 18 and 13.5
percent age 65 and older. The total number of
households is 11,434, with an average size of
2.5 persons. Of those, 7,648 are family
households, with an average size of 3.0 persons.
As of April 1, 2000, there were 11,836 total
housing units.
Population density, 2002: 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.
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.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
City/Town Office Hours:
M-F 8-5 pm
Type of Government
Council/Manager
Annual Budget 2003
$56,500,000
Planning Board
Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Board
Zoning Ordinance
1947/01
Master Plan
2001
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
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
Nearest Hospital(s):
Frisbie Memorial,
Rochester
Distance: Local
Staffed Beds: 70
PROPERTY TAXES
2002 Total Tax Rate
$20.43
2002 Equalization Ratio
93.4
2002 Full Value Tax Rate
$18.79
2002 Property Valuation:
Residential
76.8%
Commercial
21.7%
Other
1.5%
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier
Northern Utilities
Water Supplier
Municipal
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
12,109
2001 Single-Family Units
6,278
Building Permits Issued
62
2001 Multi-Family Units
3,481
Building Permits Issued
-3
2001 Manufactured Housing Units
2,350
2000 Census Housing Costs
Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing
$99,400
Median Gross Rent (monthly)
$601
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2001
28,874
114,624
2000
28,461
114,624
1990
26,630
104,233
1980
21,560
104,233
1970
17,938
70,431
2000 Census 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
Total Households
11,434
Ave. Size
2.5 persons
Total Families
7,648
Ave. Size
3.0 persons
Educational Attainment,
population 25 years and over
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
1985
KW Thompson Tool, Inc
Firearms/Investment Castings
500
1963
Spaulding Composities
Insulation Tubing
100
1873
Wal-Mart
Department store
210
1996
Willey Brothers
Merchandising
Fixtures
183
1983
Lydall Technical Papers
Technical papers
125
Home Depot
Home Supply
Retailer
180
2001
WaterPik Technologies
Oil/Gas fired
heating units
170
1989
LABOR
FORCE
Annual Average
1992
2002
Civilian Labor Force
14,029
15,280
Employed
12,674
14,442
Unemployed
1,355
838
Unemployment Rate
9.7%
5.5%
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
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
2001
2002
Goods Producing
Average Employment
2,575
1,791
Average Weekly Wage
$796
$817
Service Providing
Average Employment
8,136
8,057
Average Weekly Wage
$708
$625
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
10,711
9,848
Average Weekly Wage
$729
$660
Government
Average Employment
1,176
1,295
Average Weekly Wage
$587
$571
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
11,888
11,143
Average Weekly Wage
$715
$650
n =
indicates that the data does not meet
disclosure standards
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
Museums
X
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
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
Boating/Marinas
X
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Nearest Ski Area(s):
Gunstock
Other: Rochester Fair
Copyright 2003 Economic & Labor Market
Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All
Rights Reserved. Updated 06/25/03 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.
