Community Contact Salem Planning Department
Ross Moldoff, Planning Director
33 Geremonty Drive
Salem, NH 03079

Telephone 890-2080
Fax (603) 898-1223
E-mail rmoldoff@ci.salem.nh.us
Web Site www.townofsalemnh.org

Municipal Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm

County Rockingham
Tourism Region Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission Rockingham
Regional Development Rockingham Economic Development Corp.

Election Districts
US Congress
District 2
Executive Council
District 3
State Senate
District 22
State Representative
District 76
Incorporated: 1750

Origin: As early as 1736, Salem was the North Parish of Methuen, Massachusetts, or Methuen District. In 1741, when the boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was re-established, the North Parish became part of New Hampshire, and was given the name Salem, taken from nearby Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is home to Canobie Lake, the Canobie Lake Amusement Park, and Rockingham Park.

Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 1,218 residents in 1790

Population Trends: Population growth rates for Salem started high, increasing by 92 percent between 1950-1960 and by 119 percent between 1960-1970, then slowed dramatically, growing by twenty percent, seven percent, and nine percent over the next three decades. Salem's population grew by a total of 23,307 residents, the fourth largest increase, going from 4,805 in 1950 to 28,112 in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for Salem was 29,115 residents, which ranked sixth among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.

Population Density, 2003: 1,151.7 persons per square mile of land area, the sixth highest among the cities and towns. Salem contains 24.8 square miles of land area and 1.1 square miles of inland water area.

Villages and Place Names: Arlington Park, Canobie Lake, Cluffs Crossing, Cowbell Corners, Foster Corners, Hampshire Road, Millville, North Salem, Noyes Terrace, Pine Grove Park, Salem Depot, Wilson Corners, Mount Ararat

MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government Selectmen/Town Manager
2004 Annual Budget $32,500,000
Zoning Ordinance 1962/04
Master Plan 2001
Capitol Improvement Plan Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Director

Boards and Commissions
Elected:
Board of Selectmen
Appointed:
Planning Board; Zoning of Adjustment; Conservation Commission

Public Library Kelley

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department Full-time
Fire Department Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating 5/9
Emergency Medical Service Municipal & other

Nearest Hospital(s):
Parkland Medical, Derry NH or Holy Family, Methuen MA
Distance: 7 miles Staffed Beds: 82; 271

UTILITIES
Electric Supplier Granite State
Natural Gas Supplier Northern Utilities
Water Supplier Salem Water Dept.

Sanitation Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant No
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) $20.22
2003 Equalization Ratio 63.3
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $12.72

2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
66.8%
Commercial Land and Buildings
32.2%
Other Property including Utilities
1.0%

HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units 11,120

2002 Single-Family Units 8,142
Building Permits Issued
125
2002 Multi-Family Units 2,169
Building Permits Issued
0
2002 Manufactured Housing Units 809

DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population Community County
2003 29,115 290,102
2000 28,112 277,359
1990 25,746 245,845
1980 24,124 190,345
1970 20,142 138,951

Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
13,994 Female 14,118

Population by Age Group
Under age 5
1,783
Age 5 to 19
5,887
Age 20 to 34
4,749
Age 35 to 54
9,584
Age 55 to 64
2,869
Age 65 and over
3,240
Median Age
38.1 years

Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
87.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
25.4%

ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income $26,170
Median 4-person family income $67,278
Median household income $58,090

Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$46,330
Female
$31,031

Families below the poverty level 3.1%

LABOR FORCE
Annual Average 1993 2003
Civilian Labor Force
16,081 17,353
Employed
14,183 16,014
Unemployed
1,898 1,339
Unemployment Rate
11.8% 7.7%

EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
2,656 3,190
Average Weekly Wage
$679 $1,132

Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
12,128 16,256
Average Weekly Wage
$420 $593

Total Private Industry
Average Employment
14,784 19,446
Average Weekly Wage
$466 $681

Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
907 1,121
Average Weekly Wage
$512 $807

Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
15,691 20,567
Average Weekly Wage
$469 $688
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards

EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend: Salem operates grades 1-12 District: SAU 57
Career Technology Center(s): Salem High School; Pinkerton Academy Region: 17

Educational Facilities Elementary Middle/Junior High High School Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
6 1 1 3
Grade Levels
P 1-5 6-8 9-12 K-8
Total Enrollment
1,894 1,236 2,105
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 35 Total Capacity: 1,085
Nearest Community/Technical College: Nashua
Nearest Colleges or Universities: Chester College of New England

LARGEST EMPLOYERS PRODUCT/SERVICE EMPLOYEES ESTABLISHED
Hadco Corporation Printed circuit boards 360
Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Comprehensive physical rehab 300
JC Penney Co., Inc. Retail department store 200
Key Packaging Industries Corporation High density polyethylene 190
ServiceMaster In home & janitorial cleaning 170
Reliable Security Guard Agency Security guard services 135
Salem Haven, Inc. Elderly home 120
The Home Depot Building supply 100

TRANSPORTATION
Road Access Federal Routes
State Routes 28, 38, 97
Nearest Interstate, Exit I-93, Exit 1-2
Distance Local access
Railroad Boston & Maine
Public Transportation No
Nearest Airport Manchester
Runway
9,250 feet
Lighted?
Yes Navigational Aids? Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport Manchester
Distance
22 miles

Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
23 miles
Portland, ME
86 miles
Boston, MA
34 miles
New York City, NY
234 miles
Montreal, Quebec
279 miles

COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
88.8%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
6.9%
Public transportation
0.2%
Walked
1.0%
Other Means
0.9%
Worked at home
2.3%
Mean Travel Time to Work 26.4 minutes


Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
30%
Commuting to another NH community
18%
Commuting out-of-state
51%

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X Municipal Parks
O YMCA/YWCA
X 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
O Cinemas
O 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
O Campgrounds
X Fishing/Hunting
X Boating/Marinas
X Snowmobile Trails
O Bicycle Trails
X Cross Country Skiing
X Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area

Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre

Other: Rockingham Park; Canobie Lake Park; Salem Town Forest

Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 08/18/04

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.