Hooksett, New Hampshire

Hooksett, New Hampshire
Name	Hooksett
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New Hampshire
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Merrimack
Government type	Town council
Leader title	Town Manager
Leader name	Dean E. Shankle
Established title	Incorporated
Established date	1822
Area total km2	96.0
Area land km2	92.8
Area water km2	3.2
Population as of	2020
Population total	14,871
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	43, 05, 47, N...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	03106
Area code	603
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	33-37300
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0873626
Website	www.hooksett.org

Hooksett, New Hampshire is a town located within Merrimack County in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Situated along the banks of the Merrimack River, it serves as a significant suburb of the city of Manchester. The community is known for its blend of residential areas, commercial development, and preserved natural landscapes, including the prominent Robie's Country Store.

History

The area was originally part of a New Hampshire grant known as Chester and later Allenstown before being settled as a distinct parish. It was incorporated as a town by the New Hampshire General Court in 1822, named for John Hooker, an early settler. The town's development was heavily influenced by the Merrimack River, which powered early sawmills and gristmills, and later by the arrival of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Historic sites include the Hooksett District No. 5 Schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 96.0 square kilometers, of which 92.8 square kilometers is land and 3.2 square kilometers is water, primarily consisting of the Merrimack River and Lake Massabesic. The town borders Manchester to the south, Candia to the east, Auburn to the southeast, and Bow to the west. Major state routes include Route 3 and Route 28, and it is bisected by Interstate 93.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 14,871 people residing in the town. The population density was approximately 160 inhabitants per square kilometer. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income was above the average for New Hampshire, and a significant portion of the workforce commutes to employment centers in Manchester and Concord.

Government

Hooksett operates under a Town council-Town Manager form of government. The legislative authority is vested in the Hooksett Town Council, while administrative duties are handled by the appointed Town Manager. The town is part of New Hampshire's 1st congressional district and is represented in the New Hampshire Senate by members of the 16th District. Local services include a full-time Hooksett Police Department and a volunteer Hooksett Fire Department.

Education

Public education is managed by the Hooksett School District, which operates Hooksett Memorial School and Fred C. Underhill School. For secondary education, the town is part of School Administrative Unit 15, sending students to Pembroke Academy in neighboring Pembroke. The town is also home to a campus of Southern New Hampshire University and is near Saint Anselm College in Goffstown and the University of New Hampshire at Manchester.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the town include Mason Tappan, a 19th-century U.S. Congressman; John H. Sununu, former Governor of New Hampshire and White House Chief of Staff; and his son, Chris Sununu, the current Governor of New Hampshire. Other residents have included professional athletes like NHL player James van Riemsdyk and Olympic medalist Tara Mounsey.

Category:Towns in Merrimack County, New Hampshire Category:Towns in New Hampshire Category:1822 establishments in New Hampshire