Merrimack County

Merrimack County, NH, has a population of approximately 153,000 people. The racial composition is about 93.5% White, 1.6% Asian, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals represent approximately 2.4% of the population. The county's median household income is around $75,000, while the poverty rate stands at roughly 7%. The median age is about 43 years. Household sizes average around 2.5 individuals.

As of 2023, Merrimack County, NH, has a median home value of approximately $350,000. The average annual property tax rate is around 1.8%. Renters constitute about 27% of households, with median monthly rent hovering at $1,300. The housing market has seen prices appreciate by about 8% over the past year. Homeownership rate stands near 73%, and vacancy rates are approximately 1.5% for owner-occupied properties and 6% for rentals. New housing permits issued have increased by roughly 5% year-over-year.

Merrimack County, NH, is one of New Hampshire's political divisions with notable election events, especially during state and federal elections.

1. Voter Participation: Typically, turnout varies; in recent elections, it has ranged from 65% to over 70% in presidential elections.
2. 2022 Midterms: For the House of Representatives, Democratic incumbent Annie Kuster faced Republican Bob Burns. Kuster won with approximately 55% of the vote, while Burns received around 45%.
3. Local Races: County Commissioner, County Attorney, and Sheriff races often feature both Democratic and Republican candidates, reflecting the county's diverse political landscape.
4. State Legislature: Merrimack County sends several representatives to the New Hampshire General Court, with both Democrats and Republicans nearly evenly split in representation.

These figures highlight Merrimack County's engaged electorate and balanced political competition.

Merrimack County, NH, has a relatively well-educated population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data, approximately 94.2% of residents aged 25 and over have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 88.6% and the New Hampshire state average of 92%. About 38.9% of Merrimack County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, exceeding the national average of 33.1% but closely aligning with the state average of 38.0%. These figures suggest that Merrimack County is slightly more educated than the national average and comparable to statewide educational attainment levels in New Hampshire.

As of the most recent data, Merrimack County, NH, exhibits a diverse employment landscape. Key industries include healthcare and social assistance (accounting for 20% of jobs), retail trade (11%), educational services (10%), and public administration (9%). Merrimack County boasts an unemployment rate of around 2.5%, lower than the national average of 3.7% and the New Hampshire state average of 2.6%.

The healthcare sector is a major employer, significantly surpassing the national average of 13%. Retail trade aligns with the national average of 11%, while educational services also closely match the national level of 9%. Public administration in Merrimack County surpasses the national average of 5%.

Overall, Merrimack County's employment structure shows a robust healthcare and public service presence, compared to broader averages, reflecting regional priorities and resources.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Merrimack County, NH is approximately $74,297. For context, this figure is slightly higher than the New Hampshire state median, which stands at about $73,381. Comparatively, the national median household income is around $68,703.

Income Comparison

Hence, Merrimack County’s median income is higher than both the state and national averages, indicating a relatively more affluent area within the state and country.

As of the most recent data, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. The overall crime rate is approximately 22.5 incidents per 1,000 residents annually. Here's a brief table summarizing the types of crimes:

Overall, the crime rate in Merrimack County is moderate, with property crimes being the most common. Violent crime rates are significantly lower, contributing to the county's reputation as a relatively safe area.