Derry, New Hampshire
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| Derry, NH | |
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| Classification | Town |
| State | New Hampshire |
| Area | 35.4 miČ |
| Population | |
| Total | 34,471 (2003 census estimate) |
| Rank | 4th in New Hampshire |
| Density | 971.9/mi² |
Derry is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 34,021.
This article describes the entire town of Derry. There is additional demographic detail describing its central urban area, although that detail is also included in te aggregate values reported here. See: Derry (CDP), New Hampshire.
Although it is a town and not a city, Derry is the fourth most-populous community in New Hampshire, with more people than the state capital of Concord.
Derry has two famous sons: poet Robert Frost and astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space. It is home to two of America's oldest private schools, Pinkerton Academy, which was founded in 1814 and is still in operation, and the defunct Adams Female Seminary. Derry is also the former home of murderess Pamela Smart.
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History
First settled by Europeans in 1719, Derry was not incorporated until 1827. For a long time it was part of neighboring Londonderry. It was named for Derry, Ireland.
As recently as World War II, Derry was a sleepy farming community. The post-war suburban boom, its proximity to Boston in the south and Manchester to the west, and the construction of Interstate 93 through town led to a huge population boom. Although this growth has slowed somewhat, the population of Derry still increased by 15 percent during the 1990s.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 94.9 km² (36.7 mi²). 92.7 km² (35.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.40% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 34,021 people, 12,327 households, and 8,789 families residing in the town. The population density is 367.0/km² (950.7/mi²). There are 12,735 housing units at an average density of 137.4 persons/km² (355.9 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.05% White, 0.90% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.89% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,327 households out of which 42.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 28.7% are non-families. 21.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average family size is 3.24.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $54,634, and the median income for a family is $61,625. Males have a median income of $41,271 versus $30,108 for females. The per capita income for the town is $22,315. 4.6% of the population and 3.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.0% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.
Education
Derry, NH features Pinkerton Academy, a high school. See Pinkerton Academy External Web Site (http://www.pinkertonacademy.net/) and Hampstead NH. See also Pinkerton Academy.
Derry Cooperative School District (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/) consists of five elementary schools (grades1-5) and two middle schools (grades 6-8). The elementary schools are: Barka Elementary School (opening in September 2005), Derry Village School (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/dvs/homepage.html), East Derry Memorial Elementary School (http://www.edmes.org), Grinnell Elementary School (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/grs/homepage.php), South Range Elementary School (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/srs/index.html). The middle schools are: Gilbert H. Hood Middle School (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/ghh/homepage.php), West Running Brook Middle School (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/wrb/homepage.php).
Derry Cooperative School District (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/) has begun making an effort to bring the school district into the 21st century with a commitment to improving the use of technology throughout the district. See the Derry Cooperative School District Technology Webpage (http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/teachers/techintegration/techindex.htm).
External link
- Derry official website (http://www.derry.nh.us/)