Londonderry, New Hampshire

Londonderry, New Hampshire
Town
Official seal of Londonderry, New Hampshire Seal
Location in Rockingham County, New Hampshire
Country	United States
State	New Hampshire
County	Rockingham
Incorporated	1722
Government
• Town council	Joe Paradis, Chairman Brian Farmer Marty Bove Mark Oswald Kathy Wagner
Area
• Total	41.9 sq mi (108.6 km2)
• Land	41.8 sq mi (108.3 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.31%
Elevation	420 ft (128 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	23,236
• Density	555.8/sq mi (214.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	03053
Area code	603
FIPS code	33-43220
GNIS feature ID	0873651
Website	www.londonderrynh.org

Londonderry, New Hampshire is a town located in the western part of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA. The town is bordered on the north by Manchester, New Hampshire and on the east by Derry, New Hampshire. The population was 23,236 at the 2000 census. Londonderry is known for its apple orchards and is partial home to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

History

Soldiers' Monument in c. 1905

Londonderry lies in an area that was first known as "Nutfield" because of the heavy woods with nut trees. The town was settled in 1718. In 1722, it was chartered and given the name "Londonderry", after the city in the Province of Ulster in the northern part of Ireland called Londonderry or Derry.

Early settlers spread out into surrounding villages, bringing Scottish and Irish names like Antrim, Derry and Dunbarton. Londonderry was the second largest town in early colonial times, and Derry, Windham and a portion of Manchester were formed from it.

In 1790, the first year that a census was taken in Londonderry, the population was 2,622.

Notable inhabitants

• ANT, comedian, host of VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club
• Silas Betton, a United States Representative from New Hampshire
• Arthur Livermore (1766-1853), a United States Representative from New Hampshire
• William M. Oliver, United States Representative, was born here in 1792
• Ethan Paquin, poet
• George Reid, Revolutionary War officer
• Laura Silva, Miss New Hampshire USA 2007
• Brian Wilson, relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.9 square miles (108.5 km²), of which 41.8 sq mi (108.3 km²) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km²) is water, comprising 0.31% of the town. Londonderry is drained on the east by Beaver Brook and on the west by Little Cohas Brook and Nesenkeag Brook. The town's highest point is 535 feet (163 m) above sea level, on "Number Eight Hill" (named after the old school house that used to be on it) north of the center of town.

Demographics

This article describes the town of Londonderry as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the central settlement within the town, although that detail is included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Londonderry (CDP), New Hampshire.

Railroad Station in 1914

As of the census² of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile (214.6/km²). There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6/sq mi (71.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.92% White, 0.56% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

There were 7,623 households out of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.36.

Col. W.S. Pillsbury's homestead in c. 1910

In the town the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $70,501, and the median income for a family was $73,513. Males had a median income of $50,566 versus $33,821 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,491. About 1.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Londonderry is home to numerous businesses, many of which are located in the northern part of the town near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). Major businesses headquartered in town include Stonyfield Farm, Blue Seal Feeds and Coca-Cola . Mack's Apples, Sunnycrest Farm, Elwood Orchards, and Woodcrest Orchards are among the several orchards in town and are emblematic of the town's important farming heritage. The town is also home to numerous chain retailers.

Education

The town is served by the Londonderry School District.

Kindergarten:

• Moose Hill School (includes LEEP, the Londonderry Early Education Program)

Elementary Schools:

• North School
• Matthew Thornton Elementary School
• South School

Middle School:

• Londonderry Middle School

High School:

• Londonderry High School (home of the Lancers)

External links

• Londonderry, NH Official Website
• Londonderry School District
• Londonderry Hometown Online News
• New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile