Derry, NH
Community Contact:
Derry Planning Department
George H. Sioras, Community Development Director
14 Manning St
Derry, NH 03038
Telephone: (603) 432-6110
Fax: (603) 432-6109
E-mail: georgesioras@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
Labor Market Area: Nashua NH-MA NECTA Division, NH Portion
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: Rockingham County District 5
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 2004 Census estimate for Derry was 34,371 residents, which ranked fourth among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2004: 970.1 persons per square mile of land area, the ninth highest population density 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 |