Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Merrimack County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 146,445,[1] making it the third-most populous county in New Hampshire. Its county seat is Concord,[2] the capital of New Hampshire. The county was organized in 1823 from parts of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, and is named for the Merrimack River.[3] Merrimack County comprises the Concord, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn constitutes a portion of the Boston–Worcester–Providence, MA–RI–NH–CT Combined Statistical Area. In 2010, the center of population of New Hampshire was located in Merrimack County, in the town of Pembroke.[4]

Not to be confused with Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Merrimack County
U.S. county
Merrimack County Courthouse, 2019
Location within the U.S. state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°16′40″N 71°38′14″W
Country United States
State New Hampshire
Founded1823
Named forMerrimack River
SeatConcord
Largest cityConcord
Area
 • Total955.0 sq mi (2,473 km2)
 • Land932.9 sq mi (2,416 km2)
 • Water22.1 sq mi (57 km2)  2.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total146,445
 • Estimate 
(2019)
151,391
 • Density162.3/sq mi (62.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.merrimackcounty.net

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 956 square miles (2,480 km2), of which 934 square miles (2,420 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (2.3%) is water.[5] It is the third-largest county in New Hampshire by land area. The highest point in Merrimack county is Mount Kearsarge, on the border of Warner and Wilmot, at 2,937 feet (895 m).

Adjacent counties

National protected area
  • John Hay National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
183034,614—
184036,2534.7%
185040,33711.3%
186041,4082.7%
187042,1511.8%
188046,3009.8%
189049,4356.8%
190052,4306.1%
191053,3351.7%
192051,770−2.9%
193056,1528.5%
194060,7108.1%
195063,0223.8%
196067,7857.6%
197080,92519.4%
198098,30221.5%
1990120,00522.1%
2000136,22513.5%
2010146,4457.5%
Est. 2019151,391[6]3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 136,225 people, 51,843 households, and 35,460 families living in the county. The population density was 146 people per square mile (56/km²). There were 56,244 housing units at an average density of 60 per square mile (23/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.08% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.5% were of English, 13.4% Irish, 12.7% French, 11.0% French Canadian, 8.4% American, 6.4% German and 6.0% Italian ancestry. 94.2% spoke English, 2.9% French and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 51,843 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,522, and the median income for a family was $56,842. Males had a median income of $37,722 versus $27,207 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,208. About 4.10% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 146,445 people, 57,069 households, and 38,104 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 156.8 inhabitants per square mile (60.5/km2). There were 63,541 housing units at an average density of 68.0 per square mile (26.3/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 1.6% Asian, 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 20.5% were English, 20.4% were Irish, 10.1% were German, 9.7% were Italian, 9.7% were French Canadian, 5.2% were Scottish, and 4.9% were American.[14]

Of the 57,069 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 41.4 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $63,012 and the median income for a family was $75,268. Males had a median income of $50,880 versus $37,351 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,544. About 5.2% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics and government
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 45.0% 37,674 48.1% 40,198 6.9% 5,776
2012 42.9% 34,524 55.6% 44,756 1.5% 1,234
2008 42.5% 34,010 56.3% 45,078 1.3% 1,018
2004 47.1% 36,060 52.2% 39,975 0.8% 612
2000 47.2% 30,028 48.1% 30,622 4.8% 3,034
1996 37.8% 21,231 52.3% 29,381 10.0% 5,588
1992 37.6% 22,114 41.5% 24,437 20.9% 12,283
1988 60.7% 29,535 38.3% 18,637 1.1% 514
1984 67.2% 27,925 32.5% 13,510 0.4% 144
1980 56.2% 23,584 28.8% 12,083 15.0% 6,293
1976 58.6% 21,853 39.9% 14,865 1.5% 564
1972 67.7% 25,354 31.3% 11,737 1.0% 362
1968 57.9% 19,289 38.2% 12,711 3.9% 1,292
1964 38.8% 12,564 61.2% 19,818
1960 60.6% 20,395 39.4% 13,278
1956 71.7% 22,060 28.3% 8,711 0.0% 3
1952 67.9% 21,824 32.1% 10,310
1948 59.4% 16,586 40.0% 11,171 0.6% 178
1944 52.2% 14,599 47.8% 13,382 0.0% 2
1940 50.4% 14,923 49.6% 14,692
1936 51.1% 14,456 48.2% 13,645 0.8% 218
1932 52.0% 13,986 47.6% 12,805 0.4% 117
1928 60.6% 15,724 39.1% 10,139 0.3% 72
1924 59.9% 13,587 36.5% 8,283 3.6% 822
1920 58.3% 12,748 41.0% 8,976 0.7% 148
1916 49.2% 5,970 49.1% 5,967 1.7% 207
1912 39.1% 4,632 40.0% 4,741 20.9% 2,480
1908 56.5% 6,932 39.5% 4,846 4.0% 489
1904 59.7% 7,433 38.1% 4,740 2.2% 270
1900 57.7% 7,517 40.3% 5,248 2.1% 274
1896 65.7% 7,715 28.2% 3,310 6.2% 724
1892 49.7% 6,116 48.1% 5,919 2.2% 274
1888 48.1% 6,001 49.1% 6,119 2.8% 346
1884 50.6% 6,005 46.5% 5,513 3.0% 351
1880 50.0% 5,935 49.8% 5,922 0.2% 26
1876 49.9% 5,660 50.1% 5,687 0.1% 8

County Commission

The executive power of Merrimack County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.[17]

Districts Name Hometown Party
District 1 Tara Reardon (Chair) Concord, NH Democratic
District 2 Bronwyn Asplund-Walsh (Vice Chair) Franklin, NH Republican
District 3 Peter Spaulding (Clerk) Hopkinton, NH Republican

In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly-elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer.[18]

Office Name
County Attorney Robin Davis (D)
Register of Deeds Susan Cragin (D)
County Sheriff Scott Hilliard (R)
Register of Probate Erica Davis (D)
County Treasurer Leo Bernier (D)

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Merrimack County is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of August 2018 there are 45 members from 29 different districts.

Affiliation Members Voting share
Democratic Party 31 68.9%
Republican Party 14 31.1%
Total 45 100%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Villages

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved September 15, 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  17. http://sos.nh.gov/2016CountyGen.aspx?id=8589963657
  18. http://www.merrimackcounty.net/links-and-contacts/16-links-contacts/41-merrimack-county-directory

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