Derry, New Hampshire
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Derry is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 34,021. Although it is a town and not a city, Derry is the fourth most-populous community in New Hampshire.
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History
Image:Old Turnpike, Derry, NH.jpg Although it was first settled by Scottish-Irish families 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 Irish word "Doire" meaning "oak woods." The first potato planted in the United States was planted here in 1719. The town is the location of two of America's oldest private schools, Pinkerton Academy, founded in 1814 and still in operation, and the closed Adams Female Seminary.
Derry was once a linen-making center until New England textile industries moved south in the 20th century. As recently as World War II, Derry was also a sleepy farming community. The post-war suburban boom, the town's proximity to Boston in the south and Manchester to the northwest, 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.
Notable Inhabitants:
- Robert Frost, poet
- Alan Shepard, astronaut
Historic Sites & Museums:
- Derry Historical Society & Museum
- Robert Frost Farm
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. Derry is drained by Beaver Brook. The highest point is Warner Hill, where from the top one can see the Boston skyline on a clear day.
Demographics
This article describes the town of Derry as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the central settlement or village within the town, although that detail is included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Derry (CDP), New Hampshire.
Image:Post Office, Derry, NH.jpg As of the census of 2000, there were 34,021 people, 12,327 households, and 8,789 families residing in the town. The population density was 367.0/km² (950.7/mi²). There were 12,735 housing units at an average density of 137.4 persons/km² (355.9 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,327 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 28.7% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.24.
Image:Broadway, West Derry, NH.jpg In the town the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,634, and the median income for a family was $61,625. Males had a median income of $41,271 versus $30,108 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,315. 4.6% of the population and 3.3% of families were 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
Image:Adams Female Seminary, East Derry, NH.jpg Private Schools:
- Pinkerton Academy
- Nutfield Cooperative School
Public Schools:
- Elementary:
