Concord, New Hampshire

Concord, New Hampshire
AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Concord
Settlement type	Capital city of New Hampshire
Nickname	The Capital City
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New Hampshire
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Merrimack
Established title	Settled
Established date	1659
Established title2	Incorporated (town)
Established date2	1733
Established title3	Incorporated (city)
Established date3	1853
Established title4	Named for
Established date4	Concord
Government type	Mayor-council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Jim Bouley
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	174.02
Area total sq mi	67.19
Area land km2	166.39
Area land sq mi	64.24
Area water km2	7.63
Area water sq mi	2.95
Elevation m	88
Elevation ft	288
Population total	44395
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	266.8
Population density sq mi	691.0
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	−5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	−4
Coordinates	43, 12, 24, N...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	03301, 03302, 03303, 03305
Area code	603
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	33-14200
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0873304
Website	www.concordnh.gov

Contents

History
Geography
Demographics
Economy
Government

Concord, New Hampshire is the state capital and seat of Merrimack County. Located along the Merrimack River, it serves as the political and judicial center of New Hampshire. The city is known for its historic architecture, including the iconic New Hampshire State House, and its role in the New England publishing industry.

History

The area was originally settled by the Pennacook people and was known as "Penacook." European settlement began in 1659, granted as part of a Massachusetts Bay Colony land grant. Incorporated as the town of Rumford in 1733, it was renamed in 1765 after Concord, Massachusetts, to signify the peaceful resolution of a bitter boundary dispute. The city became the state capital in 1808, succeeding Portsmouth. In the 19th century, it became a transportation hub with the arrival of the Concord Railroad and a center for manufacturing, notably at the Abbot-Downing Company, famed for its Concord coaches. Key figures like President Franklin Pierce and statesman Daniel Webster were closely associated with the city. The New Hampshire Historical Society, founded in 1823, is headquartered here.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67.2 square miles, of which 64.2 square miles is land and 3.0 square miles is water. The city is bisected by the north-flowing Merrimack River, with the primary downtown area on the west bank. Major water bodies include the Contoocook River, which joins the Merrimack within the city, and Turtle Pond. The terrain varies from flat river valleys to rolling hills, part of the New England Upland region. It is bordered by the towns of Bow, Loudon, Pembroke, Canterbury, Boscawen, and Hopkinton. The city contains several villages, including Penacook and East Concord.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 44,395. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median age is approximately 41 years. A significant portion of the workforce is employed in public administration, healthcare, and education, with many residents working for the State of New Hampshire, Concord Hospital, or the Concord School District. Educational attainment levels are above the national average, with institutions like the University of New Hampshire School of Law and NHTI, Concord's Community College located in the city.

Economy

The economy is anchored by state government, with the New Hampshire State House and numerous state agencies, including the New Hampshire Department of Justice and New Hampshire Department of Transportation, being major employers. Healthcare is another pillar, led by Concord Hospital and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical system. Historically a center for printing and publishing, it was the long-time home of the Patriot Ledger and remains the base for the New Hampshire Bulletin. Manufacturing has evolved from coaches to include high-tech firms and the Spectrum Medical Group. Retail and services are concentrated in areas like the Fort Eddy Road commercial district. The presence of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and federal offices like the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire reinforces its status as a judicial center.

Government