Origin: First known as Harrytown and Tyng's Town, the town was granted as Derryfield in 1751. The name Manchester was suggested by Samuel Blodgett, a businessman who found that the Amoskeag Falls impeded shipping on the Merrimack River. After visiting Manchester, England, he was determined to build a canal like those in England. The canal was first opened in May 1807. Mr. Blodgett s goal was to make the town a great city, and although he died in September 1807, it was renamed Manchester in 1810, and incorporated as a city in 1846.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 362 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Manchester continues to reign as the state's largest city, and was the first to reach 100,000 residents. Population increased by a total of 24,274 residents, the third largest increase, going from 82,732 in 1950 to 107,006 residents in 2000. But decennial growth rates were low, ranging from a one percent decrease between 1960-1970 to a nine percent increase between 1980-1990. The 2003 Census estimate for Manchester was 108,871 residents, which ranked first among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 3,270.3 persons per square mile of land area, the state s highest population density. Manchester contains 33.0 square miles of land area and 1.9 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: Goffs Falls, Massabesic, Youngsville, Bakersville, Bald Hill District, Amoskeag
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/22/04
All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications, and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the community contact.
