Population

New Hampshire’s population is just over 1.3 million people in the entire state. We are a state that is proud of its small communities – only 1% of our towns and cities have more than 50,000 residents. The majority of our communities – 78% - have populations of less than 5,000 people.

However, New Hampshire’s population is growing faster than any other state in New England, and ranks tenth in the nation for population growth. The popularity of the four southeastern counties, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford, is evident, as most growth in the near future is expected to be in these counties. The fastest growing age group (third in the nation) from 2000-2003 was residents ages 18-24.

Most new residents seem to be moving to the communities that are closest to the highways, as the commute to Massachusetts is quite manageable from these towns. Another popular relocation destination is the Lakes Region, simply for the fact that it is one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

Government

Concord, situated along the Merrimack River in south central New Hampshire, is the state capitol. The state government has three branches: Executive, with the Governor serving as Chief Executive, assisted by a five-member council; Legislative, with a 24-m ember Senate and a 400-member House; and Judicial, headed by a State Supreme Court. The city governments are mayoral, but the small towns still are governed by the traditional town meeting. Town meetings are held each spring and give each citizen an opportunity to review each item in the town's budget.

Taxes

Income - There is no state tax in New Hampshire. However, if you live in the state but work in nearby Massachusetts or Maine, your income is taxed by the state in which you work.

Unearned Income - A tax on income from interest and dividends exceeding $1200 is assessed at the rate of 5%. Interest on bank savings in New Hampshire is not taxed.

Property - Tax rates on real estate are set annually by the individual towns. The rate is set based on a percentage of the assessed value. There are no additional city, county or school taxes.

Sales - There is no general sales tax in New Hampshire.

Licenses and Fees

Drivers - Newcomers to the state must register their motor vehicle and obtain a New Hampshire driver's license within 60 days after establishing residency. Detailed information can be obtained from:

New Hampshire Department of Safety
Division of Motor Vehicles
Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603-271-2371)

Applications may be obtained from the town clerk's office in the town one resides. The completed application, along with a $10 fee, is sent to the State Division of Motor Vehicles, and an appointment is mailed for an examination. If you hold a valid out-of-state driver's license, no driving test is required. Licenses are valid for 4 years. CAUTION - If you own an automobile, it must be registered before you obtain your driver's license.

Automobile Registration - Application must first be made at the town clerk's office for a certificate of title. State registration fees are based on the weight of the vehicle. Local registration fees are based on the factory list value of the automobile. The fees range from a high of $18/1000 to a low of $3/1000, depending on the age of the vehicle. Motor vehicle inspection is required once a year at state approved, privately owned inspection stations.

Hunting and Fishing - All persons over 16 years of age are required to have a license to fish and hunt. For further information, you may contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 34 Bridge Street, Concord, NH 03301, (603)271-3421.

Boating - The New Hampshire law requires the annual registration of power boats. Fees vary and are based on the length of the boat. For copies of laws relating to operation, equipment, and navigation of motor boats on inland waterways, contact the New Hampshire Dept. of Safety, Division of Safety Services, Concord, NH 03301. Boats operating in tidal/salt waters of the state are registered by the US Coast Guard and are numbered according to the federal system.

Off-Highway Vehicles - All off-highway recreational vehicles operated in the state must be registered unless operated solely on land owned or leased by the current owner. The fee is $25 for state residents. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Off-Highway Vehicles, P.O. Box 956, Concord, NH 03301, (603)271-3254.

Education

School districts are administered by local school boards which have the authority to make all necessary rules and regulations of the government, organization, and grading in the school district. New Hampshire's public school systems include elementary, middle, junior, and senior high schools and vocational centers. Kindergarten programs are not mandated by the state; local school boards determine if a child must be 6 years old by September 30 of the current school term in order to enroll for first grade. However, there is some variation between districts; therefore, checking with your district for the dates is important.

Elementary and secondary parochial school systems exist in the larger cities. Many private secular schools provide a fine alternative to the public school system. General information about school can be obtained by contacting the Department of Education, State Office Park South, 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301, (603)271-3494.

Higher education is provided through the numerous fine colleges and universities throughout the state. Perhaps the most famous is Dartmouth College, located in Hanover on the western border of the state, minutes from Vermont. The University of New Hampshire has over 10,000 students at its campus located in the seacoast community of Durham. Several other public colleges provide a variety of educational opportunities. Other private colleges include St. Anselm College in Manchester, New England College in Henniker, Colby-Sawyer College in New London, and Rivier College in Nashua. Two-year, state-funded vocational colleges are conveniently located in major population centers.

Major Newspapers

When moving to a new area, you will find the local newspapers to be an excellent source of information about the communities you are considering.

Milford - The Milford Cabinet, P.O. Box 180, Milford, NH 03055
Nashua Telegraph, 60 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Manchester - The Union Leader, P.O. Box 780, Manchester, NH 03105
Salem - The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, P.O. Box 100, Lawrence, MA 01842
Portsmouth - Portsmouth Herald, 111 Maplewood Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Concord - The Concord Monitor, 3 North State St., Concord, NH 03301
Dover - Foster's Daily Democrat, 333 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820

The statewide Sunday paper is the New Hampshire Sunday News, published by the Union Leader Corporation. Two Boston metropolitan daily newspapers are widely read in Southern New Hampshire:

Boston Globe, 135 Morrisey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125
Boston Herald, 300 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

Why Live in New Hampshire?

Because...

• It's a place for all seasons.
• It's a place to which many people come, but few leave.
• It has a strong, healthy, economy, where growth is encouraged, yet controlled.
• Taxes will be lower than in most states.
• Of the choices, the lifestyles, the way the state offers something for everyone.
• Safe Environment

New Hampshire Facts

• One of the 13 original states, New Hampshire was settled in 1623. It became a Royal Province in 1679 and was the first to declare independence of Britain in early 1776.
• 9,304 square miles
• 324 towns and cities
• 18 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline
• 40,000 miles of streams
• 2,000 lakes and ponds
• 182 mountains over 3,000 feet
• 768,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest
• 33 camping or picnic sites in the White Mountain National Forest
• 1,300 miles of hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest
• 250 "Bed and Breakfast Inns
• 6,000 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails
• 1,500 inns, motels, hotels, resorts, and cottages
• 175 campgrounds with more than 16,000 campsites
• 32 State Parks and one Country Area
• 54 covered bridges
• Home of the Appalachian Mountain Club
• 40 huts and shelters for hikers
• 5 peaks are over a mile high
• 31 major ski touring centers
• Major summer theatrical and musical events at Hanover, Durham, Bretton Woods,
• Portsmouth, North Conway, Manchester, and Jaffrey
• Historic buildings, museums, and large art galleries open to visitors