Somersworth, NH

Somersworth, NH

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Community Contact Somersworth Dept of Development Services
Robert M. Belmore
1 Government Way
Somersworth, NH 03878
Telephone 692-9519
Fax (603) 692-9575
E-mail bbelmore@somersworth.com
Web Site www.somersworth.com
Municipal Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm
County Strafford
Tourism Region Seacoast
Planning Commission Strafford Regional
Regional Development Strafford Economic Development Corp.
Election Districts
US Congress
 District 1 (All Wards)
Executive Council
 District 2 (All Wards)
State Senate
 District 6 (All Wards)
State Representative
 District 67 (All Wards)
Incorporated: 1754
Origin: Somersworth began as a parish of Dover, named Sligo after the Irish county which was home to an early colonial governor. Later, it was called Summersworth, which was contracted to Somersworth when it was incorporated in 1754. It was incorporated as a city in 1893. Situated on the Salmon River, Somersworth has been home to many gristmills, sawmills, and cotton and woolen making establishments.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 943 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Like most cities, Somersworth's population grew below the statewide average rate over four of the last five decades. Decennial growth rates peaked at a 23 percent increase between 1950-1960 and dropped since, increasing only two percent between 1990-2000. Somersworth grew by a total of 4,550 residents over fifty years, going from 6,927 in 1950 to 11,477 residents in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for Somersworth was 11,786 residents, which ranked 25th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 1,181.0 persons per square mile of land area, the fifth highest among the cities and towns. Somersworth contains 9.8 square miles of land area and 0.2 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: Blackwater, Central Park, Crocketts Crossing, Foundry, Aspen Woods, Cameron Farms, Cotton Woods

MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government City Manager & Council
2004 Annual Budget $28,394,302
Zoning Ordinance 1953/04
Master Plan 2000
Capitol Improvement Plan Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Board

Boards and Commissions
Elected:
 City Council
Appointed:
 Planning Board; Zoning Board; Conservation Commission; Library Trustees; Cemetery Trustees

Public Library Somersworth Public

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department Full-time
Fire Department Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating 4
Emergency Medical Service Municipal

Nearest Hospital(s):
Wentworth-Douglass, Dover
Distance: 3 miles Staffed Beds: 115

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
 Private
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
 Yes
Mandatory Recycling Program
 Yes

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) $24.18
2003 Equalization Ratio 74.1
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $17.82

2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
 75.9%
Commercial Land and Buildings
 22.5%
Other Property including Utilities
 1.7%

HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units 4,911
   
2002 Single-Family Units 2,350
Building Permits Issued
 23
2002 Multi-Family Units 2,066
Building Permits Issued
 16
2002 Manufactured Housing Units 495
   
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population Community County
2003 11,786 117,740
2000 11,477 112,233
1990 11,249 104,233
1980 10,350 85,408
1970 9,026 70,431

Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
 5,521 Female 5,956

Population by Age Group
Under age 5
 832
Age 5 to 19
 2,449
Age 20 to 34
 2,482
Age 35 to 54
 3,446
Age 55 to 64
 895
Age 65 and over
 1,373
Median Age
 34.9 years

Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
 84.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
 18.8%

ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income $19,592
Median 4-person family income $47,933
Median household income $42,739

Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
 $36,585
Female
 $25,804

Families below the poverty level 6.3%

LABOR FORCE
Annual Average 1993 2003
Civilian Labor Force
 6,522 6,762
Employed
 6,158 6,469
Unemployed
 364 293
Unemployment Rate
 5.6% 4.3%

EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003
Goods Producing Industries  
Average Employment
 1,950 1,156
Average Weekly Wage
 $580 $790
   
Service Providing Industries  
Average Employment
 2,135 3,056
Average Weekly Wage
 $353 $581
   
Total Private Industry  
Average Employment
 4,084 4,212
Average Weekly Wage
 $461 $638
   
Government (Federal, State, and Local)  
Average Employment
 428 506
Average Weekly Wage
 $444 $599
   
Total, Private plus Government  
Average Employment
 4,512 4,718
Average Weekly Wage
 $459 $634
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards

EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend: Somersworth operates grades K-12 District: SAU 56
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
 2 1 1 2
Grade Levels
 P K 1-4 5-8 9-12 K-12
Total Enrollment
 677 575 628
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 9 Total Capacity: 367
Nearest Community/Technical College: Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities: McIntosh; University of NH

LARGEST EMPLOYERS PRODUCT/SERVICE EMPLOYEES ESTABLISHED
General Electric Co. Manufacturing, meter control division 300+/-
Trelleborg Palmer-Chenard Manufacturing, rubber products 200+/-
Busy Bee Janitorial Services Janitorial services 120+/-
Wal-Mart Department store 400+/-
Somersworth School Department Education 291
Market Basket Supermarket 180
City of Somersworth Municipal services 114+/-
Velcro Hook & loop products 129+/-
The Works Athletic Club Physical fitness/wellness Center 120+/-
General Linen Laundry Facility 116

TRANSPORTATION
Road Access Federal Routes
  State Routes 108
Nearest Interstate, Exit Spalding Tpk., Exit 9
         Distance 3.5 miles
Railroad Boston & Maine
Public Transportation Yes
Nearest Airport Rochester
Runway
     4,001 feet
Lighted?
 Yes Navigational Aids? Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport Pease
Distance
 15 miles

Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
 48 miles
Portland, ME
 46 miles
Boston, MA
 71 miles
New York City, NY
 279 miles
Montreal, Quebec
 285 miles

COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census)
Workers 16 years and over  
Drove alone, car/truck/van
 85.2%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
 9.3%
Public transportation
 0.8%
Walked
 2.1%
Other Means
 1.2%
Worked at home
 1.4%
Mean Travel Time to Work 23.8 minutes

Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
 20%
Commuting to another NH community
 69%
Commuting out-of-state
 11%
   
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X Municipal Parks
X YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
X Golf Courses
X 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
Boating/Marinas
X Snowmobile Trails
X Bicycle Trails
X Cross Country Skiing
Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
   
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
   
Other: Pumpkin festival; Childrens Festival; Racquetball; walking trails; Baseball/Softball fields; Basketball Courts; Childrens Playground

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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