Londonderry, New Hampshire

Londonderry is a town in western Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town is bordered on the north by the city of Manchester and on the east by the town of Derry. The population was 24,129 at the 2010 census. Londonderry is known for its apple orchards and is home to the headquarters of Stonyfield Farm and partial home to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

The more densely settled portion of town, where 11,037 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Londonderry census-designated place (CDP) and roughly occupies the eastern and southern parts of town, around New Hampshire Route 102.

History
Londonderry lies in an area that was first known as "Nutfield" because of the dense woods with nut trees. The town was settled in 1718 by Scots-Irish settlers, many of whom had left their homes in Londonderry in the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland, and arrived in Boston in 1718 to start a new life without religious wars and persecution. In 1722, the town was chartered and given the name "Londonderry".

Early Ulster Scots settlers spread out into surrounding villages, bringing Irish and Scottish names like Antrim, Derry and Dunbarton. Londonderry was the second largest town in early colonial times, and Derry, Windham and a portion of Manchester were formed from it.

In 1719, the first American potato was grown in Derry, then a part of Londonderry.

In 1790, the first year that a census was taken in Londonderry, the population was 2,622.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.9 sqmi, of which 41.8 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi is water, comprising 0.31% of the town. The census-designated place portion of Londonderry has a total area of 12.2 sqmi, of which 0.16% is water.

Londonderry is drained on the east by Beaver Brook and on the west by Little Cohas Brook and Nesenkeag Brook. The town's highest point is 535 ft above sea level, on "Number Eight Hill" (named after the old school house that used to be on it) north of the center of town.

The town is crossed by Interstate 93, New Hampshire Route 102, New Hampshire Route 128, and New Hampshire Route 28.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile (214.6/km²). There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6 per square mile (71.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.92% White, 0.56% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

There were 7,623 households out of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the town the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $70,501, and the median income for a family was $73,513. Males had a median income of $50,566 versus $33,821 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,491. About 1.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Census-designated place
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,417 people, 3,832 households, and 3,130 families residing in the CDP occupying the eastern and southern parts of town. The population density was 936.0 people per square mile (361.3/km²). There were 3,881 housing units at an average density of 318.2 per square mile (122.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.22% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population.

There were 3,832 households out of which 48.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,707, and the median income for a family was $71,484. Males had a median income of $50,184 versus $31,998 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,767. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Londonderry is home to numerous businesses, many of which are located in the northern part of the town near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), or in the southeastern part of town near I-93, on NH 102. Major businesses headquartered in town include Stonyfield Farm and Blue Seal Feeds; a bottling facility of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. is also located in town. The town is also home to numerous chain retailers.

Mack's Apples, Sunnycrest Farm, Elwood Orchards, and Woodmont Orchards are among the several orchards in town and are emblematic of the town's important farming heritage. The abundance of apple orchards in town has made apple picking a popular fall activity among all residents, many of which affectionately refer to the town as "Appletown". However, apple theft is a major issue within the town, and one that the town police are often preoccupied with.

Education
The town is served by the Londonderry School District.

Kindergarten: Elementary Schools: Middle School: High School: Private Schools:
 * Moose Hill School (includes LEEP, the Londonderry Early Education Program)
 * North School
 * Matthew Thornton Elementary School
 * South School
 * Londonderry Middle
 * Londonderry High School (home of the Lancers), known for its exceptional marching band program, which traveled to China in the summer of 2008 to participate in pre-ceremonies for the Olympic Games.
 * Victory Baptist School (K-12)
 * Adventures in Learning
 * Applewood Learning Center
 * Cozy Kid's Child Care
 * Kindercare
 * Pixie Preschool I
 * Winnie's Creative Kindergarten

Notable people

 * Ant, host of VH1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club
 * John Bell, 18th governor of New Hampshire
 * Samuel Bell, 14th governor of New Hampshire
 * Silas Betton, US congressman
 * Dominic DiMaggio, outfielder with the Boston Red Sox
 * John Fisher, industrialist; US congressman from New York
 * Ryan Griffin, tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League
 * Kevin Hunt, NFL player (offensive lineman) for Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, and New Orleans Saints
 * Arthur Livermore, US congressman
 * Joseph McKeen, president of Bowdoin College
 * Dan Mullen, head coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
 * Ocean Born Mary, subject of a local ghost legend
 * William M. Oliver, US congressman
 * Ethan Paquin, poet
 * George W. Patterson, US congressman
 * Peter Patterson, businessman and Canadian politician
 * William Patterson, US congressman
 * George Reid, Revolutionary War era officer
 * Laura Silva, 2007 Miss New Hampshire USA
 * William Stark, Revolutionary War era officer
 * Samuel Taggart, US congressman
 * Matthew Thornton, signer of the Declaration of Independence; he lived in a part of the town that is now in Derry
 * Brian Wilson, pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers
 * James Wilson, first maker of globes in the US