Once a sleepy country town, Merrimack now is a thriving, active residential community, with a sound business base. This astonishing growth has been accomplished with less than the usual amount of growing pains.

Merrimack's school system is modern and provides excellent education. There are a number of organized recreational programs utilizing the playgrounds, tennis courts, skating rink and beach. Several multiple-acre conservation and park areas provide nature enjoyment. Town services are excellent. And Merrimack's economy is strengthened by visitors attracted to the nationally-known Busch Clydesdale Hamlet and an exciting new Hilton Hotel complex.

Town of Merrimack Profile (.pdf download)

Incorporated:	1746

Community Contact:	Town of Merrimack
	Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director
	PO Box 940, Town Office
	Merrimack, NH 03054

Telephone:	(603) 424-3531
Fax:	(603) 424-1408
E-mail:	cddir@ci.merrimack.nh.us
Web Site:	www.ci.merrimack.nh.us

City/Town Office Hours:	Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

County:	Hillsborough
Labor Market Area:	Nashua
Planning Commission:	Nashua Regional
Tourism Region:	Merrimack Valley

Demographics, 2000 Census: From 1990 to 2000, Merrimack's population increased by 13.4 percent to 25,119, adding 2,963 residents. Merrimack is the 8th largest town in the state, and also had the 8th largest numeric increase in population among the cities and towns. The median age is 36.0, with 29.0 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 6.4 percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 8,832, with an average size of 2.84 persons. Of those, 6,982 are family households, with an average size of 3.19 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were 8,959 total housing units.

Population Density, 2000: 770.0 persons per square mile of land area. Merrimack contains 32.6 square miles of land area and 0.8 square miles of inland water area.

Origin: Although first occupied in 1665, settlement did not begin until 1722, when the establishment of Brenton's Farm (Litchfield) presented the need of a ferry across the river to reach new settlements. The ferry concession was owned by Edward Lutwyche. When the town was separated from Nashua (then Dunstable) in 1746, it was given the name of the river, Merrimack. In 1774, Lutwyche's Ferry was sold to Revolutionary War patriot Matthew Thornton, giving it the current name of Thornton's Ferry.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

City/Town Office Hours:	M-F 8:30-4:30 pm

Type of Government	Selectmen/Town Manager
Annual Budget (2002)	$26,496,210
Planning Board	Appointed
Industrial Plans Reviewed By	Planning Board
Zoning	1953/02
Master Plan	1993
Capital Improvement Plan	Yes
Public Library	Merrimack Public

EMERGENCY SERVICES

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

Nearest Hospital(s):	Southern NH Regional; St. Joseph's		In: Nashua
	Distance: 11 miles		Beds: 173; 135

TAXES

2001 Total Tax Rate			$21.30
2001 Equalization Ratio			0.88
2001 Full Value Tax Rate			$18.73

2001 Property Valuation:	Residential	76.0%
	Commercial	22.8%
	Other	1.2%

UTILITIES

Electric Supplier	PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier	EnergyNorth
Water Supplier	Pennichuck Water Works, Merrimack Village District

Sanitation	Municipal
Municipal Treatment Plant	Yes
Curbside Trash Pickup	No
Mandatory Recycling Program	No

Telephone Company	Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access	Yes
Cable Television Access	Yes

HOUSING, 2000

Total Housing Units		8,959

Single-Family Units		6,397
	Building Permits Issued	184
Multi-Family Units		2,354
	Building Permits Issued	16
Manufactured Housing Units		208

Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing		$143,300
Median Gross Rent (monthly)		$882

DEMOGRAPHICS (US Census)

Total Population		Community			County
2000		25,119			380,841
1990		22,156			336,073
1980		15,406			276,608
1970		8,595			223,941

Population by Gender, 2000
	Male: 12,514		Female: 12,605

Population by Age Group, 2000
	Under age 5		1,731
	Age 5 to 19		6,110
	Age 20 to 34		4,219
	Age 35 to 54		9,183
	Age 55 to 64		2,275
	Age 65 and over		1,601

Median Age			36 years

Total Households: 8,869				Average Size: 2.84 persons
Total Families: 7,074				Average Size: 3.19 persons

Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
	High school graduate or higher					92.9%
	Bachelor's degree or higher					35.0%

ANNUAL INCOME, 2000 (US Census)

Per capita income			$27,748
Median 4-person family income			$72,011
Median household income			$68,817

Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
	Male	$51,725
	Female	$31,528

Families below the poverty level			1.2%

TRANSPORTATION

Road Access		Federal Routes		3
		State Routes		Everett Turnpike, 101A

Nearest Interstate, Exit			I-293, Exit 3
	Distance		11 miles

Railroad			Boston & Maine
Public Transportation			No

Nearest Airport			Nashua
	Runway		5,501 feet
	Lighted?		Yes
	Navigational Aids?		Yes

Nearest Commercial Airport			Manchester
	Distance		11 miles

DISTANCE TO

Manchester, NH	14 miles
Portland, ME	108 miles
Boston, MA	51 miles
New York City, NY	236 miles
Montreal, Quebec	272 miles

LARGEST EMPLOYERS	PRODUCT/SERVICE	EMPLOYEES	ESTABLISHED
Fidelity	Financial services	3,500	1996
Sanders Associates, Inc.	Defense systems	816	1988
Merrimack School District	Education	800
PC Connections, Inc.	Computer resale	700	1998
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.	Malt beverages	531	1991
Kollsman Instrument Company	Electra optics	500	1991
Nashua Corporation	Makes office papers & computer disks	450	1973
St. Gobain	PTFE coated fabrics	253	1984
Amherst Computer		238	1999
Town of Merrimack	Local Government	215	1746

LABOR FORCE

Annual Average	1990	2001
Civilian labor force	14,152	14,931
Employed	13,578	14,392
Unemployed	574	539
Unemployment rate	4.1%	3.6%

COMMUTING TO WORK, 2000

Workers 16 years and over	(US Census)
Drove alone, car/truck/van	87.5%
Carpooled, car/truck/van	7.8%
Public transportation	0.2%
Walked	0.5%
Other means	0.5%
Worked at home	3.5%

Mean Travel Time to Work	25.6 minutes

EMPLOYMENT & WAGES

		1991	2000
Manufacturing Industries
	Average Employment	6,770	3,645
	Average Weekly Wage	$833	$1,498

Non-Manufacturing Industries
	Average Employment	3,382	8,561
	Average Weekly Wage	$330	$1,147

Total Private Industry
	Average Employment	10,152	12,206
	Average Weekly Wage	$665	$1,252

Government
	Average Employment	825	960
	Average Weekly Wage	$515	$618

Total, Private plus Government
	Average Employment	10,977	13,166
	Average Weekly Wage	$654	$1,206

n = indicates that data does not meet disclosure standards

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

X	Municipal Parks
X	YMCA/YWCA
	Boys Club/Girls Club
	Golf Courses
X	Swimming: Indoor Facility
X	Swimming: Outdoor Facility
X	Tennis Courts: Indoor Facility
X	Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
X	Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
X	Bowling Facilities
	Museums
X	Cinemas
X	Performing Arts Facilities
X	Tourist 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
	Campgrounds
X	Fishing/Hunting
X	Boating/Marinas
X	Snowmobile Trails
X	Bicycle Trails
X	Cross Country Skiing

	Nearest Ski Area(s): McIntyre

	Other: Anheuser-Busch Tours

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.