Community Profile
Derry, NH
Community Contact Derry Planning Department
George H. Sioras, Community Dev Dir
14 Manning St.
Derry, NH 03038
Telephone 432-6110
Fax (603) 432-6109
E-mail planning@ci.derry.nh.us
Web Site www.derry.nh.us
Municipal Office Hours Monday through Friday, 7 am - 4 pm, plus Wednesday until 7 pm
County Rockingham
Tourism Region Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission Southern NH
Regional Development Rockingham Economic Development Corp.
Election Districts
US Congress
District 1
Executive Council
District 4
State Senate
District 19
State Representative
District 77
Incorporated: 1827
Origin: Although first settled in 1719, Derry was not incorporated until 1827. It was for a long time part of Londonderry, which included Windham and portions of Manchester, Salem, and Hudson. The town was named for the Isle of Derry, Ireland, the Gaelic word Doire meaning oak woods. Derry is the location of Robert Frost's farm, and the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard. It is also the location of two of America's oldest private schools, Pinkerton Academy, founded in 1814 and still in operation, and the Adams Female Seminary.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 2,176 residents in 1830
Population Trends: Derry had the second-highest numeric population increase between 1950-2000, maintaining above-average growth rates each decade and growing nearly six times larger. Decennial growth rates ranged from a 15 percent increase between 1990-2000 to a 68 percent increase between 1960-1970. Derry grew by 28,195 residents, going from 5,826 in 1950 to 34,021 residents in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for Derry was 34,471 residents, which ranked fourth among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 971.9 persons per square mile of land area, the ninth highest among the cities and towns. Derry contains 35.4 square miles of land area and 0.9 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: Chases Grove, Collettes Grove, Derry Village, East Derry, Howards Grove
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government Town Admin./Council
2004 Annual Budget $37,197,573
Zoning Ordinance 1946/04
Master Plan 2003
Capitol Improvement Plan Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Board
Boards and Commissions
Elected:
Town Council
Appointed:
Planning Board; Conservation Commission; Zoning Board
Public Library Derry Public; Taylor Library
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department Full-time
Fire Department Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating 4/9
Emergency Medical Service Full-time
Nearest Hospital(s):
Parkland Medical Center, Derry
Distance: Local Staffed Beds: 82
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier PSNH; NH Electric; Granite State
Natural Gas Supplier KeySpan
Water Supplier Derry Water Department
Sanitation Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Yes
Solid Waste Disposal
Curbside Trash Pickup
Private
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
Mandatory
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) $28.75
2003 Equalization Ratio 66.5
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $21.12
2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
74.4%
Commercial Land and Buildings
24.5%
Other Property including Utilities
1.0%
HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units 12,885
2002 Single-Family Units 7,852
Building Permits Issued
40
2002 Multi-Family Units 4,460
Building Permits Issued
5
2002 Manufactured Housing Units 573
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population Community County
2003 34,471 290,102
2000 34,021 277,359
1990 29,603 245,845
1980 18,875 190,345
1970 11,712 138,951
Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
16,893 Female 17,128
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
2,436
Age 5 to 19
8,653
Age 20 to 34
6,809
Age 35 to 54
11,816
Age 55 to 64
2,204
Age 65 and over
2,103
Median Age
33.6 years
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
90.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
26.3%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income $22,315
Median 4-person family income $61,625
Median household income $54,634
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$41,271
Female
$30,108
Families below the poverty level 3.3%
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average 1993 2003
Civilian Labor Force
18,487 20,535
Employed
16,927 19,153
Unemployed
1,560 1,382
Unemployment Rate
8.4% 6.7%
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
1,373 1,132
Average Weekly Wage
$519 $748
Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
4,519 5,632
Average Weekly Wage
$386 $572
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
5,892 6,764
Average Weekly Wage
$417 $601
Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
689 1,044
Average Weekly Wage
$560 $694
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
6,581 7,809
Average Weekly Wage
$432 $614
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend: Derry operates grades 1-8; grades 9-12 are tuitioned to Pinkerton Academy (Derry) District: SAU 10
Career Technology Center(s): Pinkerton Academy; Salem High School Region: 17
Educational Facilities Elementary Middle/Junior High High School Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
5 2 1 3
Grade Levels
1-5 6-8 9-12 K-12
Total Enrollment
2,643 1,766 3,297
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 29 Total Capacity: 1,246
Nearest Community/Technical College: Manchester; Nashua
Nearest Colleges or Universities: Chester College of New England; Hesser; Southern NH University; UNH-Manchester; St. Anselm
LARGEST EMPLOYERS PRODUCT/SERVICE EMPLOYEES ESTABLISHED
Derry Cooperative School System Education 850
HCA Health Services of NH Health care administration 850
Shaw's Supermarket Supermarket 225 1980
Firete Fire equipment 200 1960's
Electronics Corporation Industrial controls 100 1980
Standard Sash & Door Co. Door, window units 100 1971
McCord Winn & Textron, Inc. Automotive components 100 1982
Eastern Rainbow, Inc. Color separations 80 1977
Wal-mart Department store 125 1992
Victory Supermarket 149 2000
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access Federal Routes
State Routes 28, 102, 111
Nearest Interstate, Exit I-93, Exit 4
Distance 1 mile
Railroad No
Public Transportation No
Nearest Airport Manchester
Runway
9,250 feet
Lighted?
Yes Navigational Aids? Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport Manchester
Distance
13 miles
Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
12 miles
Portland, ME
94 miles
Boston, MA
42 miles
New York City, NY
242 miles
Montreal, Quebec
269 miles
COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
84.9%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
9.7%
Public transportation
0.8%
Walked
1.4%
Other Means
0.6%
Worked at home
2.7%
Mean Travel Time to Work 31.1 minutes
Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
20%
Commuting to another NH community
47%
Commuting out-of-state
33%
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X Municipal Parks
O YMCA/YWCA
X Boys Club/Girls Club
X Golf Courses
X Swimming: Indoor Facility
O Swimming: Outdoor Facility
O Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
O Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
O 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): McIntyre
Other: Lakes with public beach; Robert Frost Homestead; Skateboard Park; Opera house
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/21/04
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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