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Rockingham County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2020 census, the population was 314,176,[1] making it New Hampshires second-most populous county. The county seat is Brentwood.[2] Rockingham County is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area and the greater Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. Per the 2020 census, it was New Hampshires fastest growing county from 2010 to 2020.[3]

As of 2014–2018 estimates from the American Community Survey, Rockingham County was the fourth- wealthiest county in New England, with a median household income of $90,429.[4]

History

The area that today is Rockingham County was first settled by Europeans moving north from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts as early as 1623. The government was linked tightly with Massachusetts until New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679, but counties were not introduced until 1769.

Rockingham was identified in 1769 as one of five original counties for the colony. It is named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766. The county was organized in 1771, with its county seat at Exeter. In 1823, certain townships from northwestern Rockingham (and some northern townships from Hillsborough Country) became part of the formation of Merrimack County. In 1844, its area was further reduced by the formation of Belknap County to the northwest. In 1997, the county court facilities were moved to Brentwood, a rural town adjacent to Exeter.[5]

Geography

The county occupies the southeastern corner of the state of New Hampshire, and it contains the states easternmost point. The county contains all of New Hampshires Atlantic coast, which, at approximately 18 miles (29 km), is the shortest ocean coastline of any state in the U.S.[6] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 795 square miles (2,060 km2), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km2) are land and 100 square miles (260 km2) (13%) are water.[7] Its highest point is Nottingham Mountain, at 1,340 feet (410 m), in Deerfield.

Adjacent counties

Strafford County (north)

York County, Maine (northeast)

Essex County, Massachusetts (south)

Hillsborough County (west)

Merrimack County (northwest)

National protected area

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Historical population

CensusPop.Note%±

179043,184—

180045,4275.2%

181050,17510.5%

182055,24610.1%

183044,325−19.8%

184045,7713.3%

185049,1947.5%

186050,1221.9%

187047,297−5.6%

188049,0643.7%

189049,6501.2%

190051,1183.0%

191052,1882.1%

192052,4980.6%

193053,7502.4%

194058,1428.2%

195070,05920.5%

196099,02941.4%

1970138,95140.3%

1980190,34537.0%

1990245,84529.2%

2000277,35912.8%

2010295,2236.4%

2020314,1766.4%

2022 (est.)319,424[8]1.7%

U.S. Decennial Census[9]

1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]

1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 295,223 people, 115,033 households, and 79,832 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 425.0 inhabitants per square mile (164.1/km2). There were 126,709 housing units at an average density of 182.4 per square mile (70.4/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.7% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were Irish, 19.0% were English, 14.8% were Italian, 9.7% were German, 7.3% were French Canadian, 5.6% were Polish, and 3.8% were American.[15]

Of the 115,033 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 42.2 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $75,825 and the median income for a family was $90,463. Males had a median income of $61,443 versus $42,478 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,889. About 3.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families living in the county. The population density was 399 inhabitants per square mile (154/km2). There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile (63/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.80% White, 0.58% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of Irish, 14.6% English, 11.8% Italian, 10.5% French, 8.0% French Canadian, 6.0% German and 5.6% American ancestry. 94.3% spoke English, 1.8% French and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 104,529 households, out of which 35.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 32.80% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $58,150, and the median income for a family was $66,345. (These figures had risen to $72,600 and $85,361 respectively, as of a 2007 estimate.) Males had a median income of $45,598 versus $30,741 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,656. About 3.10% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

Rockingham County has historically been a Republican stronghold, but the county is now competitive. Three Democratic presidential nominees have won it since 1964, including Joe Biden in 2020, who was the first to win a majority since Lyndon B. Johnson.

The county is divided between the Democratic stronghold that is the Seacoast Region, and the conservative western portions of the county.

Rockingham County is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.[a]

United States presidential election results for Rockingham County, New Hampshire[17]

YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party

No. %No. %No. %

202095,85848.09%100,06450.20%3,4201.72%

201690,44749.85%79,99444.09%10,9936.06%

201287,92151.59%80,14247.03%2,3601.38%

200881,91748.81%83,72349.89%2,1821.30%

200482,06951.68%75,43747.50%1,3100.82%

200065,86049.09%61,62845.93%6,6854.98%

199646,20140.80%53,64447.37%13,40311.84%

199247,35338.25%44,31735.80%32,13625.96%

198864,03463.15%35,77535.28%1,5961.57%

198457,58669.01%25,55730.63%2970.36%

198045,96057.83%21,71227.32%11,80214.85%

197636,73853.92%30,05144.11%1,3411.97%

197238,82563.09%21,99835.75%7181.17%

196828,84254.98%21,19540.41%2,4194.61%

196419,49841.70%27,25658.30%00.00%

196028,03262.16%17,06337.84%00.00%

195628,22673.42%10,19826.53%180.05%

195226,28068.58%12,04031.42%00.00%

194818,89060.68%11,93738.35%3010.97%

194417,14456.55%13,17043.44%20.01%

194016,22353.68%14,00146.32%00.00%

193615,46654.75%12,20743.21%5762.04%

193214,90256.44%11,36343.03%1400.53%

192817,59069.18%7,78230.61%530.21%

192414,53068.42%6,07328.60%6342.99%

192013,81167.29%6,58232.07%1320.64%

19165,86650.29%5,63748.32%1621.39%

19124,23137.54%4,30638.21%2,73324.25%

19086,81460.34%4,11836.47%3613.20%

19047,21660.97%4,32036.50%2992.53%

19007,36359.29%4,71938.00%3372.71%

18967,88169.32%2,99226.32%4964.36%

18926,38050.75%5,96147.42%2301.83%

18886,45048.76%6,55349.54%2261.71%

18846,16250.63%5,68246.69%3262.68%

18806,96053.25%5,98945.82%1210.93%

18766,42253.51%5,57646.46%30.02%

County Commission

The executive power of Rockingham Countys government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county.[18]

DistrictsNameHometownParty

District 1Kate CoylePortsmouth, NHDemocratic

District 2Steven L. GodduSalem, NHRepublican

District 3Brian ChirichielloDerry, NHRepublican

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.[19]

OfficeName

County AttorneyPatricia Conway (R)

Register of DeedsCathy Stacey (R)

County SheriffChuck Massahos (R)

Register of ProbateLisa Massahos (R)

County TreasurerScott Priestley (R)

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of Rockingham County is made up of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, as of August 2018 there are 90 members from 37 different districts.

AffiliationMembersVoting share

Democratic Party2932.2%

Republican Party6167.8%

Total90100%

After redistricting based on the 2010 United States census, Rockingham County was split between 8 state senate districts:[20]

DistrictAreas of Rockingham CountySenatorPartyFirst electedResidence

14Londonderry, AuburnSharon CarsonRepublican2010Londonderry

16CandiaKevin CavanaughDemocratic2017Manchester

17Raymond, Northwood, Nottingham, DeerfieldJohn ReaganRepublican2012Deerfield

19Windham, Derry, HampsteadRegina BirdsellRepublican2014Hampstead

21Portsmouth, Newington, Newmarket, NewfieldsRebecca Perkins KwokaDemocratic2020Portsmouth

22Salem, Atkinston, PlaistowChuck MorseRepublican2010Salem

23Exeter, Brentwood, Epping, Fremont, Kingston, East Kingston, Danville, Sandown, ChesterBill GannonRepublican2020Sandown

24New Castle, Rye, Stratham, North Hampton, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington, South Hampton NewtonTom ShermanDemocratic2018Rye

Attractions

Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth is a collection of historic buildings from the 17th through 19th centuries. Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, is an amusement park that opened in 1902. Rockingham Park racetrack, which featured weekly horse racing until 2009, was also in Salem. The site of the former track, next to the Mall at Rockingham Park, is being redeveloped as Tuscan Village, a mixed-use development. Americas Stonehenge, which claims to be a pre-Columbian collection of stone structures, is in northern Salem. Derry was home to poet Robert Frost, who taught at nearby Pinkerton Academy. His home, the Robert Frost Farm, has been preserved as a state park.

Rockingham County is also home to New Hampshires entire seacoast and features several popular resort towns. Hampton Beach has a boardwalk and Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Rye features several undeveloped beaches such as Odiorne Point State Park and contains New Hampshires portion of the Isles of Shoals. Seabrook contains Seabrook Greyhound Park and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, the last nuclear plant opened in the United States.

Communities

Map of school administrative units in Rockingham County

City

Portsmouth

Towns

Atkinson

Auburn

Brentwood (county seat)

Candia

Chester

Danville

Deerfield

Derry

East Kingston

Epping

Exeter

Fremont

Greenland

Hampstead

Hampton

Hampton Falls

Kensington

Kingston

Londonderry

New Castle

Newfields

Newington

Newmarket

Newton

North Hampton

Northwood

Nottingham

Plaistow

Raymond

Rye

Salem

Sandown

Seabrook

South Hampton

Stratham

Windham

Census-designated places

Derry

Epping

Exeter

Hampton

Hampton Beach

Londonderry

Newfields

Newmarket

Raymond

Seabrook Beach

Villages

Candia Four Corners

East Candia

East Derry

East Hampstead

Newton Junction

North Salem

West Nottingham

Education

School districts include:[21]

K-12 districts

Epping School District

Londonderry School District

Newmarket School District

Portsmouth School District

Raymond School District

Salem School District

Sanborn Regional School District

Timberlane Regional School District

Windham School District

Secondary districts

Exeter Regional Cooperative School District

Winnacunnet Cooperative School District

Elementary districts

Auburn School District

Brentwood School District

Candia School District

Chester School District

Deerfield School District

Derry School District

East Kingston School District

Exeter School District

Fremont School District

Greenland School District

Hampstead School District

Hampton School District

Hampton Falls School District

Kensington School District

New Castle School District

Newfields School District

Newington School District

North Hampton School District

Northwood School District

Nottingham School District

Rye School District

Seabrook School District

South Hampton School District

Stratham School District

There is also a privately endowed, publicly funded school, Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Towns in Rockingham County that send their public high school students to Pinkerton, other than Derry, include: Auburn, Candia, Chester, and Hampstead.[22] Prior to 1978 Londonderry sent its high schoolers to Pinkerton.[23] Previously Auburn and Candia sent high school students to the Manchester School District.[24][25]

Notable person

Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. At the 2020 census it had a population of 21,956.[2] A historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination on the Piscataqua River bordering the state of Maine, Portsmouth was formerly the home of the Strategic Air Commands Pease Air Force Base, since converted to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease.

History

American Indians of the Abenaki and other Algonquian languages-speaking nations, and their predecessors, inhabited the territory of coastal New Hampshire for thousands of years before European contact.

The first known European to explore and write about the area was Martin Pring in 1603. The Piscataqua River is a tidal estuary with a swift current, but forms a good natural harbor. The west bank of the harbor was settled by European colonists in 1630 and named Strawbery Banke, after the many wild strawberries growing there. The village was protected by Fort William and Mary on what is now New Castle Island. Strategically located for trade between upstream industries and mercantile interests abroad, the port prospered. Fishing, lumber and shipbuilding were principal businesses of the region.[3] Enslaved Africans were imported as laborers as early as 1645 and were integral to building the citys prosperity.[4] Portsmouth was part of the Triangle Trade, which made significant profits from slavery.

Market Square in 1853

Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire by William James Glackens (1909)

Waterfront, 1917

At the towns incorporation in 1653, it was named "Portsmouth" in honor of the colonys founder, John Mason. He had been captain of the English port of Portsmouth, Hampshire, after which New Hampshire is named.

When Queen Annes War ended in 1712, Governor Joseph Dudley selected the town to host negotiations for the 1713 Treaty of Portsmouth, which temporarily ended hostilities between the Abenaki Indians and the colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire.[3]

In 1774, in the lead-up to the Revolution, Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth warning that the British Royal Navy was coming to capture the port.[5] Although Fort William and Mary protected the harbor, the Patriot government moved the capital inland to Exeter, which ensured that it would be under no threat from the Royal Navy, which bombarded Falmouth (now Portland, Maine) instead on October 18, 1775. Portsmouth was the destination for several of Beaumarchaiss ships containing materiel, such as artillery, tents, and gunpowder, to help the American revolutionary effort.[6] African Americans helped defend Portsmouth and New England during the war. In 1779, 19 enslaved African Americans from Portsmouth wrote a petition to the state legislature and asked that it abolish slavery, in recognition of their war contributions and in keeping with the principles of the Revolution.[4] The legislature tabled their petition. New Hampshire abolished slavery in 1857, by which time the institution was effectively extinct in the state.

Thomas Jeffersons 1807 embargo against American trade with Britain severely disrupted New Englands trade with Canada, and several local businessmen went bankrupt. Portsmouth was host to numerous privateers during the War acheter of 1812. In 1849, Portsmouth was incorporated as a city.[3]

Once one of the nations busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth expressed its wealth in fine architecture. It has significant examples of Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style houses, some of which are now museums. Portsmouths heart has stately brick Federalist stores and townhouses, built all-of-a-piece after devastating early 19th-century fires. The worst was in 1813 when 244 buildings burned.[3] A fire district was created that required all new buildings within its boundaries to be built of brick with slate roofs; this created the downtowns distinctive appearance. The city was also noted for the production of boldly wood-veneered federal-style (neoclassical) furniture, particularly by the master cabinet maker Langley Boardman.

The Industrial Revolution spurred economic growth in New Hampshire mill towns such as Dover, Keene, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua and Rochester, where rivers provided water power for the mills. It shifted growth to the new mill towns. The port of Portsmouth declined, but the city survived Victorian-era doldrums, a time described in the works of Thomas Bailey Aldrich, particularly in his 1869 novel The Story of a Bad Boy.

In the 20th century, the city founded a Historic District Commission, which has worked to protect much of the citys irreplaceable architectural legacy. In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations".[7] The compact and walkable downtown on the waterfront draws tourists and artists, who each summer throng the cafes, restaurants and shops around Market Square. Portsmouth annually celebrates the revitalization of its downtown (in particular Market Square) with Market Square Day,[8] a celebration dating back to 1977, produced by the non-profit Pro Portsmouth, Inc.

This emphasis on historic preservation and revitalization was the result of much pain and destruction. Portsmouth is largely walkable due to its network of streets and tight blocks filled with preserved Revolution-era homes. However, like many other cities all over the region (and nation), Portsmouth was hit by Urban Renewal, a planning tool used nationwide to provide Federal funds to address “urban blight” and revitalize downtown cores after decades of suburbanization and loss of tax revenue. An urban renewal district for Portsmouth was its North End neighborhood, which similar to Boston's, was home to an Italian-American population.[9]

In 1964, federal funds were allocated to the North End project area in Portsmouth, for urban renewal. Prior to redevelopment, the North End was a mix of residential and commercial buildings, with many older houses converted into storefronts with apartments above. In the mid-1960s, the area was considered overcrowded, run down, and a fire hazard. As a result, the Portsmouth Housing Authority proposed the destruction of approximately 200 buildings, a school, and a church and redevelopment for commercial, industrial, and public use, rather than for residences. The project would displace approximately 300 families as a result. In 1968, Portsmouth Preservation Inc., a preservation organization was formed to attempt to save some of the historic building stock in the area slated for redevelopment. After bitter fighting and preservation advocacy, just fourteen houses were saved and mostly moved to an area known today as “The Hill”.[10] This preservation was only the beginning, and eventually efforts conspired to created the afformentioned historic district. Urban renewal was many events that led to its creation.

Portsmouth shipbuilding history has had a long symbiotic relationship with Kittery, Maine, across the Piscataqua River. In 1781–1782, the naval hero John Paul Jones lived in Portsmouth while he supervised construction of his ship Ranger, which was built on nearby Badgers Island in Kittery. During that time, he boarded at the Captain Gregory Purcell house, which now bears Jones name, as it is the only surviving property in the United States associated with him. Built by the master housewright Hopestill Cheswell, an African American,[11] it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. It now serves as the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum.

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in 1800 as the first federal navy yard, is on Seaveys Island in Kittery, Maine.[12] The base is famous for being the site of the 1905 signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth[13] which ended the Russo-Japanese War. Though US President Theodore Roosevelt orchestrated the peace conference that brought Russian and Japanese diplomats to Portsmouth and the Shipyard, he never came to Portsmouth, relying on the Navy and people of New Hampshire as the hosts. Roosevelt won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomacy in bringing about an end to the war.

Geography

Portsmouth downtown from I-95

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 square miles (43.6 km2), of which 15.7 square miles (40.6 km2) are land and 1.2 square miles (3.0 km2), or 6.92%, are water.[14] Portsmouth is drained by Berrys Brook, Sagamore Creek and the Piscataqua River, which is the boundary between New Hampshire and Maine. The highest point in the city is 110 feet (34 m) above sea level, within Pease International Airport.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Portsmouth has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Portsmouth was 104 °F (40.0 °C) on August 2, 1975, while the coldest temperature recorded was −26 °F (−32.2 °C) on January 22, 1984.[15]

Climate data for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1954–present

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear

Record high °F (°C)71

(22)75

(24)89

(32)94

(34)94

(34)97

(36)102

(39)104

(40)96

(36)88

(31)78

(26)75

(24)104

(40)

Mean maximum °F (°C)55.3

(12.9)56.8

(13.8)66.0

(18.9)81.2

(27.3)88.1

(31.2)91.3

(32.9)93.6

(34.2)92.0

(33.3)88.3

(31.3)78.4

(25.8)68.9

(20.5)57.8

(14.3)95.3

(35.2)

Mean daily maximum °F (°C)32.6

(0.3)35.6

(2.0)43.3

(6.3)55.8

(13.2)66.1

(18.9)75.0

(23.9)80.5

(26.9)79.4

(26.3)71.8

(22.1)59.7

(15.4)48.1

(8.9)37.8

(3.2)57.1

(14.0)

Daily mean °F (°C)24.4

(−4.2)26.6

(−3.0)34.3

(1.3)45.3

(7.4)55.4

(13.0)64.5

(18.1)70.3

(21.3)69.1

(20.6)61.7

(16.5)50.1

(10.1)39.7

(4.3)30.0

(−1.1)47.6

(8.7)

Mean daily minimum °F (°C)16.3

(−8.7)17.6

(−8.0)25.3

(−3.7)34.8

(1.6)44.8

(7.1)54.1

(12.3)60.1

(15.6)58.8

(14.9)51.7

(10.9)40.5

(4.7)31.2

(−0.4)22.3

(−5.4)38.1

(3.4)

Mean minimum °F (°C)−4.2

(−20.1)−1.2

(−18.4)6.4

(−14.2)22.7

(−5.2)31.1

(−0.5)41.2

(5.1)49.4

(9.7)47.5

(8.6)35.4

(1.9)26.4

(−3.1)16.1

(−8.8)4.8

(−15.1)−6.9

(−21.6)

Record low °F (°C)−26

(−32)−15

(−26)−8

(−22)10

(−12)15

(−9)32

(0)38

(3)33

(1)23

(−5)14

(−10)−6

(−21)−17

(−27)−26

(−32)

Average precipitation inches (mm)3.63

(92)3.57

(91)4.77

(121)4.56

(116)3.95

(100)4.59

(117)3.89

(99)3.66

(93)4.08

(104)4.95

(126)4.12

(105)4.88

(124)50.65

(1,288)

Average snowfall inches (cm)17.1

(43)15.8

(40)13.9

(35)2.3

(5.8)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.1

(0.25)1.6

(4.1)14.2

(36)65.0

(165)

Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)11.0

(28)12.5

(32)11.2

(28)2.1

(5.3)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.0

(0.0)0.8

(2.0)8.4

(21)17.9

(45)

Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)10.69.310.911.111.311.310.78.79.110.610.911.3125.8

Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)6.95.94.60.90.00.00.00.00.00.01.05.324.6

Source: NOAA[16][15][17]

Demographics

Historical population

CensusPop.Note%±

17904,720—

18005,33913.1%

18106,93429.9%

18207,3275.7%

18308,0269.5%

18407,887−1.7%

18509,73823.5%

18609,335−4.1%

18709,211−1.3%

18809,6905.2%

18909,8271.4%

190010,6378.2%

191011,2695.9%

192013,56920.4%

193014,4956.8%

194014,8212.2%

195018,83027.0%

196026,90042.9%

197025,717−4.4%

198026,2542.1%

199025,925−1.3%

200020,784−19.8%

201021,2332.2%

202021,9563.4%

sources:[2][18]

Portsmouth is the sole city in Rockingham County, but the fourth-largest municipality, with fewer people than the towns of Derry, Londonderry, and Salem.

As of the census of 2010, there were 21,233 people, 10,014 households, and 4,736 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,361.1 people per square mile (525.5 people/km2). There were 10,625 housing units at an average density of 681.1 per square mile (263.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 1.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.7% some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.[19]

There were 10,014 households, out of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were headed by married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03, and the average family size was 2.75.[19]

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.[19]

For the period 2010–2014, the citys estimated median annual household income was $67,679, and the median family income was $90,208. Male full-time workers had a median income of $58,441 versus $45,683 for females. The citys per capita income for the city was $42,724. About 4.0% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.[20]

Economy

Jefferson Street at the Strawbery Banke Museum

Heinemann USA is based in Portsmouth. Before its dissolution, Boston-Maine Airways (Pan Am Clipper Connection), a regional airline, was also headquartered in Portsmouth.[21] Companies with headquarters in Portsmouth include packaged software producer Bottomline Technologies and frozen yogurt maker Sweet Scoops.

Top employers

According to the citys 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[22] the top ten employers in the city are:

#EmployerEmployees

1US Dept of State Consular Center1,300

2Lonza Biologics1,100

3Liberty Mutual1,000

4HCA Hospital1,000

5City of Portsmouth817

6Bottomline Technologies638

7John Hancock400

8Service Credit Union378

9Amadeus362

10High Liner Foods330

Arts and culture

The Portsmouth Downtown Historic District encompasses the citys historic urban core and Market Square.[23] The city has a vibrant restaurant culture. In 2023, it was reported that the city had 36,000 restaurant seats for a population of 22,000.[24]

Sites of interest

Street musicians perform across from North Church (July 2014)

USS Albacore Museum & Park – a museum featuring the USS Albacore, a U.S. Navy submarine used for testing, which was decommissioned in 1972 and moved to the park in 1985. The submarine is open for tours.

Buckminster House – built in 1725, formerly a funeral parlor.[25][26]

Cabot Lyford four public sculptures – including "The Whale" and "My Mother the Wind," a seven-ton blank granite statue which was installed on Portsmouths waterfront in 1975.[27]

The Music Hall – a 900-seat theater opened in 1878.[28]

New Hampshire Theatre Project – founded in 1986, a non-profit theater organization producing contemporary and classical works, and offering educational programs.[29]

North Church – historic church, the steeple of which is visible from most of Portsmouth

The Players Ring Theater – a black-box theater that produces original work from local playwrights.

Pontine Theatre – produces original theater works based on the history, culture and literature of New England at their 50-seat black box venue.[30]

Portsmouth African Burying Ground – a memorial park and the only archeologically verified 18th-century African burying ground in New England.

Portsmouth Athenæum – a private membership library, museum and art gallery open to the public at certain times.

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse – first established in 1771, the current structure was built in 1878 and is open for monthly tours from May through September.

Portsmouth Historical Society – founded in 1917, includes museum galleries, a gift shop, welcome center, walking tours, and operates the John Paul Jones House.[31]

Prescott Park Arts Festival – summer entertainments in Portsmouths waterfront park since 1974.[32]

Rockingham Hotel and the Library Restaurant – historic former hotel and contemporary restaurant. Built in 1885, it is a prominent early example of Colonial Revival architecture.

Seacoast Repertory Theatre – founded in 1988, a professional theater troupe.[33]

Strawbery Banke Museum – a neighborhood featuring several dozen restored historic homes in Colonial, Georgian and Federal styles of architecture. The site of one of Portsmouths earliest settlements.

Whaling Wall – Painting of Isles of Shoals Humpbacks created by Robert Wyland, situated on the back of Cabot House Furniture. It is in disrepair, and restoration has not been allowed by the owners of Cabot Furniture.[34]

Historic house museums

Governor John Langdon House

Richard Jackson House (1664)

John Paul Jones House (1758)

Governor John Langdon House (1784)

Tobias Lear House (1740)

Moffatt-Ladd House (also called William Whipple House) (1763)

Rundlet-May House (1807)

MacPheadris-Warner House (1716)

Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion (1750)

Wentworth-Gardner House (also called Wentworth House) (1760)

Henry Sherburne House (1766)

Sports

The Seacoast United Phantoms are a soccer team based in Portsmouth. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the Northeast Division of USL League Two (USL2), one of the unofficial fourth-tier leagues of the American Soccer Pyramid.

Freedom Rugby Football Club is a mens rugby union team based in Portsmouth, founded in the summer of 2014. The club is an active member of USA Rugby and New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU).

Government

The city of Portsmouth operates under a council-manager system of government. Portsmouth elects a nine-member at-large City Council to serve as the citys primary legislative body.[35] The candidate who receives the most votes is designated the Mayor (currently Deaglan McEachern), while the candidate receiving the second-highest vote total is designated the Assistant Mayor (currently Joanna Kelley). While the mayor and council convene to establish municipal policy, the City Manager (currently Karen Conard) oversees the citys day-to-day operations.[36]

Portsmouth city vote

by party in presidential elections[37]

Portsmouth is part of New Hampshires 1st congressional district, currently represented by Democrat Chris Pappas. Portsmouth is part of the Executive Councils 3rd district, currently represented by Republican Janet Stevens. In the State Senate, Portsmouth is represented by Democrat Rebecca Perkins Kwoka. In the State House of Representatives, Portsmouth is divided among the 25th through 31st Rockingham districts.[38][39]

Politically, Portsmouth is a center of liberal politics and a stronghold for the Democratic Party. Ronald Reagan was the last Republican presidential nominee to carry the city in his 1984 landslide reelection. In 2016, Portsmouth voted 67.70% for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, 62.53% for Colin Van Ostern in the gubernatorial election, 64.48% for Maggie Hassan in the senatorial election, and 62.16% for Carol Shea-Porter in the congressional election.[40] In 2014, Portsmouth voted 70.05% for Maggie Hassan in the gubernatorial election, 67.34% for Jeanne Shaheen in the senatorial election, and 68.34% for Carol Shea-Porter in the congressional election. In 2012, Portsmouth voted 67.56% for Barack Obama in the presidential election, 70.16% for Maggie Hassan in the gubernatorial election, and 68.50% for Carol Shea-Porter in the congressional election.[41]

In March 2014, Portsmouth became the first municipality in New Hampshire to implement protections for city employees from discrimination on the basis of gender identity, by a 9–0 vote of the city council.[42]

Education

Community College System of New Hampshire, Great Bay Community College – Portsmouth campus

Franklin Pierce University – Portsmouth campus

Granite State College – Portsmouth campus and on-site location at Great Bay Community College

Media

Print

The New Hampshire Gazette

The Portsmouth Herald

See also: List of newspapers in New Hampshire in the 18th century: Portsmouth

Radio

WSCA-LP Portsmouth Community Radio 106.1 FM

WHEB 100.3 FM rock formatted

Infrastructure

Transportation

The city is crossed by Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 4, New Hampshire Route 1A, New Hampshire Route 16, and New Hampshire Route 33. Boston is 55 miles (89 km) to the south, Portland, Maine, is 53 miles (85 km) to the northeast, and Dover, New Hampshire, is 13 miles (21 km) to the northwest.

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) operates a publicly funded bus network in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and neighboring Maine including service in, to and from Portsmouth.[43] C&J is a private intercity bus carrier connecting Portsmouth with coastal New Hampshire and Boston, as well as direct service to New York City.[44] Wildcat Transit, operated by the University of New Hampshire, provides regular bus service to the UNH campus in Durham and intermediate stops. The service is free for students, faculty and staff and $1.50 for the general public.[45] Amtraks Downeaster train service, is available in Dover and Durham, nearby to the northwest. Allegiant Air offers scheduled airline service from Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM).[46]

Sister cities

Portsmouths sister cities are:[47]

Morocco Agadir, Morocco

Northern Ireland Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Ghana Kitase, Ghana

Japan Nichinan, Japan

Estonia Pärnu, Estonia

Russia Severodvinsk, Russia

Portsmouth also has friendly relations with:[47]

England Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Italy Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy

Hungary Szolnok, Hungary

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See also

flagNew Hampshire portal

Portsmouth Public Library (New Hampshire)

2006 Little League World Series, when a team from Portsmouth advanced to the quarter-finals

USS Portsmouth, 4 ships

New Hampshire (/ˈhæmpʃər/ HAMP-shər) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Of the 50 U.S. states, New Hampshire is the fifth smallest by area and the tenth least populous, with a population of 1,377,529 residents as of the 2020 census. Concord is the state capital and Manchester is the most populous city. New Hampshires motto, "Live Free or Die", reflects its role in the American Revolutionary War; its nickname, "The Granite State", refers to its extensive granite formations and quarries.[10] It is well known nationwide for holding the first primary (after the Iowa caucus) in the U.S. presidential election cycle, and for its resulting influence on American electoral politics.

New Hampshire was inhabited for thousands of years by Algonquian-speaking peoples such as the Abenaki. Europeans arrived in the early 17th century, with the English establishing some of the earliest non-indigenous settlements. The Province of New Hampshire was established in 1629, named after the English county of Hampshire.[11] Following mounting tensions between the British colonies and the crown during the 1760s, New Hampshire saw one of the earliest overt acts of rebellion, with the seizing of Fort William and Mary from the British in 1774. In January 1776, it became the first of the British North American colonies to establish an independent government and state constitution; six months later, it signed the United States Declaration of Independence and contributed troops, ships, and supplies in the war against Britain. In June 1788, it was the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, bringing that document into effect. Through the mid-19th century, New Hampshire was an active center of abolitionism, and fielded close to 32,000 Union soldiers during the U.S. Civil War. After the war, the state saw rapid industrialization and population growth, becoming a center of textile manufacturing, shoemaking, and papermaking; the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in Manchester was at one time the largest cotton textile plant in the world. The Merrimack and Connecticut rivers were lined with industrial mills, most of which employed workers from Canada and Europe; French Canadians formed the most significant influx of immigrants, and today roughly a quarter of all New Hampshire residents have French American ancestry, second only to Maine.

Reflecting a nationwide trend, New Hampshires industrial sector declined after World War II. Since 1950, its economy diversified to include financial and professional services, real estate, education, transportation and high-tech, with manufacturing still higher than the national average.[12] Beginning in the 1950s, its population surged as major highways connected it to Greater Boston and led to more commuter towns. New Hampshire is among the wealthiest and most-educated states.[13] It is one of nine states without an income tax and has no taxes on sales, capital gains, or inheritance while relying heavily on local property taxes to fund education; consequently, its state tax burden is among the lowest in the country. It ranks among the top ten states in metrics such as governance, healthcare, socioeconomic opportunity, and fiscal stability.[14][15] New Hampshire is one of the least religious states and known for its libertarian-leaning political culture; it was until recently a swing state in presidential elections.[16]

With its mountainous and heavily forested terrain, New Hampshire has a growing tourism sector centered on outdoor recreation. It has some of the highest ski mountains on the East Coast and is a major destination for winter sports; Mount Monadnock is among the most climbed mountains in the U.S. Other activities include observing the fall foliage, summer cottages along many lakes and the seacoast, motorsports at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, and Motorcycle Week, a popular motorcycle rally held in Weirs Beach in Laconia. The White Mountain National Forest includes most of the Appalachian Trail between Vermont and Maine, and has the Mount Washington Auto Road, where visitors may drive to the top of 6,288-foot (1,917 m) Mount Washington.

History

Main article: History of New Hampshire

The historical coat of arms of New Hampshire, from 1876

Various Algonquian-speaking Abenaki tribes, largely divided between the Androscoggin, Cowasuck and Pennacook nations, inhabited the area before European settlement.[17] Despite the similar language, they had a very different culture and religion from other Algonquian peoples. Indigenous people lived near Keene, New Hampshire 12,000 years ago, according to 2009 archaeological digs,[18] and the Abenaki were present in New Hampshire in pre-colonial times.[19]

English and French explorers visited New Hampshire in 1600–1605, and David Thompson settled at Odiornes Point in present-day Rye in 1623. The first permanent European settlement was at Hiltons Point (present-day Dover). By 1631, the Upper Plantation comprised modern-day Dover, Durham and Stratham; in 1679, it became the "Royal Province". Father Rales War was fought between the colonists and the Wabanaki Confederacy throughout New Hampshire.

New Hampshire was one of the Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against British rule during the American Revolution. During the American Revolution, New Hampshire was economically divided. The Seacoast region revolved around sawmills, shipyards, merchants warehouses, and established village and town centers, where wealthy merchants built substantial homes, furnished them with luxuries, and invested their capital in trade and land speculation. At the other end of the social scale, there developed a permanent class of day laborers, mariners, indentured servants and slaves.

Site of first house in New Hampshire, present mansion constructed in 1750, by Gov. W. B. Wentworth, New York Public Library

In December 1774, Paul Revere warned Patriots that Fort William and Mary would be reinforced with British troops. The following day, John Sullivan raided the fort for weapons. During the raid, the British soldiers fired at rebels with cannon and muskets, but there were apparently no casualties. These were among the first shots in the American Revolutionary period, occurring approximately five months before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On January 5, 1776, New Hampshire became the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain, almost six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress.[20]

The United States Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so.[21]

New Hampshire was a Jacksonian stronghold; the state sent Franklin Pierce to the White House in the election of 1852. Industrialization took the form of numerous textile mills, which in turn attracted large flows of immigrants from Quebec (the "French Canadians") and Ireland. The northern parts of the state produced lumber, and the mountains provided tourist attractions. After 1960, the textile industry collapsed, but the economy rebounded as a center of high technology and as a service provider.

Starting in 1952, New Hampshire gained national and international attention for its presidential primary held early in every presidential election year. It immediately became the most important testing ground[weasel words] for candidates for the Republican and Democratic nominations. The media gave New Hampshire and Iowa about half of all the attention paid to all states in the primary process, magnifying the states decision powers and spurring repeated efforts by out-of-state politicians to change the rules.[citation needed]

Geography

Further information: List of counties in New Hampshire, List of mountains in New Hampshire, List of lakes in New Hampshire, List of rivers in New Hampshire, and Geology of New Hampshire

Map of New Hampshire, with roads, rivers, and major cities

Shaded relief map of New Hampshire

Mount Adams (5,774 ft or 1,760 m) is part of New Hampshires Presidential Range.

Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains

New Hampshire is part of the six-state New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bounded by Quebec, Canada, to the north and northwest; Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east; Massachusetts to the south; and Vermont to the west. New Hampshires major regions are the Great North Woods, the White Mountains, the Lakes Region, the Seacoast, the Merrimack Valley, the Monadnock Region, and the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee area. New Hampshire has the shortest ocean coastline of any U.S. coastal state, with a length of 18 miles (29 km),[22] sometimes measured as only 13 miles (21 km).[23]

The White Mountains range in New Hampshire spans the north-central portion of the state. The range includes Mount Washington, the tallest in the northeastern U.S.—site of the second-highest wind speed ever recorded—[24] as well as Mount Adams and Mount Jefferson. With hurricane-force winds every third day on average, more than a hundred recorded deaths among visitors, and conspicuous krumholtz (dwarf, matted trees much like a carpet of bonsai trees), the climate on the upper reaches of Mount Washington has inspired the weather observatory on the peak to claim that the area has the "Worlds Worst Weather".[25] The White Mountains were home to the rock formation called the Old Man of the Mountain, a face-like profile in Franconia Notch, until the formation disintegrated in May 2003. Even after its loss, the Old Man remains an enduring symbol for the state, seen on state highway signs, automobile license plates, and many government and private entities around New Hampshire.

In southwestern New Hampshire, the landmark Mount Monadnock has given its name to a class of earth-forms—a monadnock—signifying, in geomorphology, any isolated resistant peak rising from a less resistant eroded plain.

New Hampshire has more than 800 lakes and ponds, and approximately 19,000 miles (31,000 km) of rivers and streams.[26] Major rivers include the 110-mile (177 km) Merrimack River, which bisects the lower half of the state north–south before passing into Massachusetts and reaching the sea in Newburyport. Its tributaries include the Contoocook River, Pemigewasset River, and Winnipesaukee River. The 410-mile (660 km) Connecticut River, which starts at New Hampshires Connecticut Lakes and flows south to Connecticut, defines the western border with Vermont. The state border is not in the center of that river, as is usually the case, but at the low-water mark on the Vermont side; meaning the entire river along the Vermont border (save for areas where the water level has been raised by a dam) lies within New Hampshire.[27] Only one town—Pittsburg—shares a land border with the state of Vermont. The "northwesternmost headwaters" of the Connecticut also define the part of Canada–U.S. border.

The Piscataqua River and its several tributaries form the states only significant ocean port where they flow into the Atlantic at Portsmouth. The Salmon Falls River and the Piscataqua define the southern portion of the border with Maine. The Piscataqua River boundary was the subject of a border dispute between New Hampshire and Maine in 2001, with New Hampshire claiming dominion over several islands (primarily Seaveys Island) that include the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case in 2002, leaving ownership of the island with Maine. New Hampshire still claims sovereignty of the base, however.[28]

The largest of New Hampshires lakes is Lake Winnipesaukee, which covers 71 square miles (184 km2) in the east-central part of New Hampshire. Umbagog Lake along the Maine border, approximately 12.3 square miles (31.9 km2), is a distant second. Squam Lake is the second largest lake entirely in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire has the shortest ocean coastline of any state in the United States, approximately 18 miles (29 km) long.[29] Hampton Beach is a popular local summer destination. About 7 miles (11 km) offshore are the Isles of Shoals, nine small islands (four of which are in New Hampshire) known as the site of a 19th-century art colony founded by poet Celia Thaxter, and the alleged location of one of the buried treasures of the pirate Blackbeard.

It is the state with the highest percentage of timberland area in the country.[30] New Hampshire is in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome. Much of the state, in particular the White Mountains, is covered by the conifers and northern hardwoods of the New England-Acadian forests. The southeast corner of the state and parts of the Connecticut River along the Vermont border are covered by the mixed oaks of the Northeastern coastal forests.[31] The states numerous forests are popular among autumnal leaf peepers seeking the brilliant foliage of the numerous deciduous trees.

The northern third of the state is locally referred to as the "north country" or "north of the notches", in reference to the White Mountain passes that channel traffic. It contains less than 5% of the states population, suffers relatively high poverty,.