Manchester, New Hampshire
| City nickname: Queen City | |
| Founded | 1810 |
| County | Hillsborough County |
| Mayor | Robert A. Baines (Dem) |
| Area - Total - Water |
90.4 km² (34.9 mi²) 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) 5.44% |
| Population - City (2000) |
107,006 |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5 |
| Latitude Longitude |
42°59'11" N 71°27'6" W |
| www.manchesternh.gov | |
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire and the largest city of northern New England, an area composed of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It is located in Hillsborough County on the banks of the Merrimack River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 107,007. As of 2005 the population is closer to 110,000. Manchester is the center of the Manchester, NH, New England City and Town Metropolitan Area (NECTA MA).
Incorporated as a city in 1846, Manchester is nicknamed the Queen City. In 1998, it was named the Number One Small City in the East by Money magazine. The Mall of New Hampshire, on Manchester's southern fringe, is the city's main retail center.
Historically, Manchester is important as a textile manufacturing center and the world's largest textile factory was once located along the Merrimack.
Geography
Manchester is located at 42°59'11" North, 71°27'6" West (42.986284, -71.451560)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 90.4 km² (34.9 mi²). 85.5 km² (33.0 mi²) of it is land and 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.44% water.
Manchester is sometimes considered the furthest north city of the BosWash megalopolis.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 107,006 people, 44,247 households, and 26,105 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,251.6/km² (3,241.4/mi²). There are 45,892 housing units at an average density of 536.8/km² (1,390.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.75% White (this includes a large Bosnian population) 2.10% African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. 4.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. Manchester is a national refugee relocation center.
There are 44,247 households out of which 29.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% are non-families. 31.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,774, and the median income for a family is $50,039. Males have a median income of $34,287 versus $26,584 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,244. 10.6% of the population and 7.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.6% are under the age of 18 and 11.7% are 65 or older.
Historical Populations
| 1767 | 230 |
| 1773 | 279 |
| 1775 | 285 |
| 1786 | 338 |
| 1790 | 362 |
| 1800 | 557 |
| 1810 | 615 |
| 1820 | 761 |
| 1830 | 877 |
| 1840 | 3,235 |
| 1850 | 13,932 |
| 1860 | 20,107 |
| 1870 | 23,536 |
| 1880 | 32,630 |
| 1890 | 44,126 |
| 1900 | 56,987 |
| 1910 | 70,063 |
| 1920 | 78,384 |
| 1930 | 76,834 |
| 1940 | 77,685 |
| 1950 | 82,732 |
| 1960 | 88,282 |
| 1970 | 87,754 |
| 1980 | 90,936 |
| 1990 | 99,332 |
| 2000 | 107,006 |
| 2002 | 108,398 (estimate) |
Sources: New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Cultural and Educational institutions
Cultural landmarks include the Palace Theater, home to the New Hampshire Symphony and the Opera League of New Hampshire, the Currier Museum of Art, the New Hampshire Institute of Art, the Manchester Historic Association Millyard Museum, the Massabesic Audubon Center, the Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center, and the SEE Science Center.
Area institutions of higher education, together enrolling more than 8,000 students, include:
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester
- Southern New Hampshire University
- New Hampshire Community Technical College
- Hesser College
- Saint Anselm College
- Springfield College School of Human Services
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Chester College of New England
- Franklin Pierce College
Sports
Manchester is home to three professional sports teams:
- Manchester Wolves (Arena Football)
- New Hampshire Fisher Cats (minor league baseball)
- Manchester Monarchs (American Hockey League)
Transportation
The city is served by Manchester Airport, one of the fastest-growing airport in the nation that has Southwest Airlines as its main service provider.
Interstates 93 and 293 and US Highway 3 connect the area to Concord and the White Mountains to the north and Nashua and Boston to the south. NH 101 is a freeway-grade expressway that connects Manchester to the southeastern part of the state and Maine via Interstate 95.
Mass transportation is provided by the Manchester Transit Authority, which runs several bus routes throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Interesting Facts
- The city is a refugee resettlement center. More than 10% of the city's population is now foreign-born.
- The city is the hometown of fictional President Jed Bartlet and his family on the American television series, The West Wing.
- Manchester is a sister city of Nashville, Tennessee, with which it is directly linked by air.
- Manchester is nick-named "Manch Vegas" or "Manch Angeles" by many locals in mocking reference to the lack of social options in the city.
- The city has two major papers, a daily,The New Hampshire Union Leader, and a weekly, The Hippo.
