Origin: Originally part of a grant to Edward Tyng of Dunstable, England, the 200 square mile area, called Dunstable, included Nashua, Tyngsboro MA, and other border towns. In 1741 the town was cut in half when the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border was established. The northern half kept the name Dunstable. In 1836 the town took the Nashua River s name, a Nashaway Indian word for beautiful river with a pebbly bottom. Nashua became a manufacturing center, powered by the Middlesex Canal which connected the Merrimack River to Boston. It was incorporated as a city in 1853.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 632 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Although Nashua ranked first in numeric population increase over fifty years, the rates of growth were at or below the statewide average. Decennial growth rates ranged from a nine percent increase between 1990-2000 to a 43 percent increase between 1960-1970. Nashua's population grew by 51,936 residents between the 1950 count of 34,669 and the 2000 count of 86,605. The 2003 Census estimate for Nashua was 87,285 residents, which ranked second among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 2,843.5 persons per square mile of land area, the second highest density. Nashua contains 30.8 square miles of land area and 1.0 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: Broad Acres, Lincoln Park, Dunstable, Crown Hill
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
86.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
31.5%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income
$25,209
Median 4-person family income
$61,102
Median household income
$51,969
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$43,893
Female
$29,171
Families below the poverty level
5.0%
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1993
2003
Civilian Labor Force
45,166
49,802
Employed
41,581
46,918
Unemployed
3,585
2,884
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.8%
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
1993
2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
12,227
11,398
Average Weekly Wage
$809
$1,274
Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
28,402
35,345
Average Weekly Wage
$439
$683
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
40,629
46,743
Average Weekly Wage
$550
$827
Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
3,311
4,659
Average Weekly Wage
$712
$922
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
43,940
51,402
Average Weekly Wage
$562
$836
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend:
Nashua operates grades K-12
District: SAU 42
Career Technology Center(s):
Nashua, Alvirne & Milford High Schools
Region: 16
Educational Facilities
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
12
3
2
8
Grade Levels
P K 1-6
7-9
10-12
K-12
Total Enrollment
7,227
3,156
2,997
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:62
Total Capacity:4,051
Nearest Community/Technical College:Nashua
Nearest Colleges or Universities:Daniel Webster; Rivier; Thomas More
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
BAE Systems North America
Optics Manufacturing
1,000+
Southern NH Medical Center
Health care
1,000+
St. Joseph Hospital & Trauma Center
Health care
1,000+
Teradyne Connection Systems Inc.
Connectors
1,000+
City of Nashua
Municipal services
1,000+
Compaq Computer Corp.
Computer software
500+/-
Nashua Corporation
Label Papers/carbonless papers/ toner & developer
500+/-
GL & V Pulp Group Inc.
Machinery Pulp Equipment
250+/-
G N Netcom/Unex Inc.
Telephone Headsets and headset amplifiers
250+/-
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
3
State Routes
3A, 101A, 102, 130
Nearest Interstate, Exit
Everett Tpk., Exit 1-10
Distance
Local access
Railroad
Boston & Maine
Public Transportation
Yes
Nearest Airport
Nashua
Runway
5,501 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Manchester
Distance
18 miles
Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
18 miles
Portland, ME
112 miles
Boston, MA
45 miles
New York City, NY
231 miles
Montreal, Quebec
276 miles
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
83.5%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
9.2%
Public transportation
1.5%
Walked
2.5%
Other Means
0.7%
Worked at home
2.7%
Mean Travel Time to Work
24.7 minutes
Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
47%
Commuting to another NH community
26%
Commuting out-of-state
26%
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
X
YMCA/YWCA
X
Boys Club/Girls Club
X
Golf Courses
X
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
X
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
X
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
X
Bowling Facilities
Museums
X
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
X
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
X
Youth Sports: Hockey
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
Cross Country Skiing
Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
Nearest Ski Area(s): Pat's Peak
Other: Indoor rock climbing
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 08/20/04
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.
