Londonderry, New Hampshire

Londonderry, New Hampshire is a town located in western 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.

History

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 Irish settlement of Scots colonists, Londonderry. The Irish name was originally "Derry Calgach" -- "calgach" meaning "fierce warrior," and "derry" derived from "doire," meaning "oak woods."

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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 108.6 km² (41.9 mi²). 108.3 km² (41.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.31%) is water. 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 meters) above sea level, on an unnamed hill 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.

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 214.6/km² (555.8/mi²). There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 71.3/km² (184.6/mi²). 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.

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.

Education

Kindergarten:

Moose Hill School (includes LEEP program)

Elementary Schools:

North School (open, but under reconstruction)
Matthew Thornton School
South School

Middle School:

Londonderry Middle School

High School:

Londonderry High School (home of the Lancers)

Business

Londonderry is home to numerous businesses, many of which are located in the northern part of the town near Manchester Airport (MHT). Major businesses headquartered in town include Stonyfield Farm and Blue Seal Feeds. Mack's Apples is one of several orchards in town and is emblematic of the town's important farming heritage. The town is also home to numerous retailers, including Hannaford Brothers, Sears, and The Home Depot.

Notable Natives

Brian Wilson - Major League Baseball pitcher
ANT - Comedian, host of VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club
George Reid - Revolutionary War officer

External links

Rockingham County, New Hampshire | Towns in New Hampshire