Somersworth, NH

Somersworth, NH

real estate Somersworth, New Hampshire
Somersworth New Hampshire Community Profile
Somersworth, NH
Community Contact Somersworth Dept of Development Services
Robert M. Belmore
1 Government Way
Somersworth, NH 03878

Telephone (603) 692-9519
Fax (603) 692-9575
E-mail bbelmore@somersworth.com
Web Site www.somersworth.com

Municipal Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm

County Strafford
Labor Market Area Rochester-Dover NH-ME Metro-NECTA, NH Portion
Tourism Region Seacoast
Planning Commission Strafford Regional
Regional Development Strafford Economic Development Corp.

Election Districts
US Congress
 District 1 (All Wards)
Executive Council
 District 2 (All Wards)
State Senate
 District 6 (All Wards)
State Representative
 Strafford County District 2 (All Wards)
Incorporated: 1754

Origin: Somersworth began as a parish of Dover, named Sligo after the Irish county which was home to an early colonial governor. Later, it was called Summersworth, which was contracted to Somersworth when it was incorporated in 1754. It was incorporated as a city in 1893. Situated on the Salmon River, Somersworth has been home to many gristmills, sawmills, and cotton and woolen making establishments.

Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 943 residents in 1790

Population Trends: Like most cities, Somersworth''s population grew below the statewide average rate over four of the last five decades. Decennial growth rates peaked at a 23 percent increase between 1950-1960 and dropped since, increasing only two percent between 1990-2000. Somersworth grew by a total of 4,550 residents over fifty years, going from 6,927 in 1950 to 11,477 residents in 2000. The 2004 Census estimate for Somersworth was 11,736 residents, which ranked 25th among New Hampshire''s incorporated cities and towns.

Population Density, 2004: 1,196.3 persons per square mile of land area, the fifth highest among the cities and towns. Somersworth contains 9.8 square miles of land area and 0.2 square miles of inland water area.

Villages and Place Names:

MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government City Manager & Council
Budget: Municipal Appropriations, 2004 $28,394,302
Budget: School Appropriations not available
Zoning Ordinance 1953/05
Master Plan 2000
Capitol Improvement Plan Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Board

Boards and Commissions
Elected:
City Council
Appointed:
Planning Board; Zoning Board; Conservation Commission; Library Trustees; Cemetery Trustees

Public Library Somersworth Public

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department Full-time
Fire Department Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating 4
Emergency Medical Service Private

Nearest Hospital(s):
Wentworth-Douglass, Dover
Distance: 3 miles Staffed Beds: 115

UTILITIES
Electric Supplier PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier Northern Utilities
Water Supplier Municipal

Sanitation Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Yes
Solid Waste Disposal
Curbside Trash Pickup
 Private
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
 Yes
Recycling Program
 Mandatory

Telephone Company Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access Yes
Cable Television Access Yes
Public Access Television Station Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service:  
Business
 Yes
Residential
 Yes

PROPERTY TAXES
2004 Total Tax Rate (per $1000 of value) $18.81
2004 Equalization Ratio 94.8
2004 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000 of value) $17.76

2004 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
 75.3%
Commercial Land and Buildings
 23.5%
Other Property including Utilities
 1.2%

HOUSING
2003 Total Housing Units 5,004
   
2003 Single-Family Units 2,247
Building Permits Issued
 13
2003 Multi-Family Units 2,262
Building Permits Issued
 41
2003 Manufactured Housing Units 495
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DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population Community County
2004 11,736 118,217
2000 11,505 112,676
1990 11,200 104,348
1980 10,350 85,408
1970 9,026 70,431

Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
5,521
Female
 5,956

Population by Age Group
Under age 5
 832
Age 5 to 19
 2,449
Age 20 to 34
 2,482
Age 35 to 54
 3,446
Age 55 to 64
 895
Age 65 and over
 1,373
Median Age
 34.9 years

Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
 84.4%
Bachelor''s degree or higher
 18.8%

ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income $19,592
Median 4-person family income $47,933
Median household income $42,739

Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
 $36,585
Female
 $25,804

Families below the poverty level 6.3%

LABOR FORCE
Annual Average 1994 2004
Civilian Labor Force
 6,529 6,444
Employed
 6,283 6,218
Unemployed
 246 226
Unemployment Rate
 3.8% 3.5%

EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1994 2004
Goods Producing Industries  
Average Employment
 1,980 1,157
Average Weekly Wage
 $590 $835
   
Service Providing Industries  
Average Employment
 2,300 3,276
Average Weekly Wage
 $363 $582
   
Total Private Industry  
Average Employment
 4,280 4,433
Average Weekly Wage
 $468 $648
   
Government (Federal, State, and Local)  
Average Employment
 419 501
Average Weekly Wage
 $466 $632
   
Total, Private plus Government  
Average Employment
 4,699 4,935
Average Weekly Wage
 $468 $646
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards

EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend: Somersworth operates grades K-12 District: SAU 56
Career Technology Center(s): Dover Voc. Center; Somersworth Reg. Voc. Center; Creteau Voc. Center, Rochester Region: 12

Educational Facilities
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
2
1
1
3
Grade Levels
P K 1-4
5-8
9-12
K-12
Total Enrollment
621
588
600
n/a
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2004: Total Facilities: 9 Total Capacity: 368
Nearest Community/Technical College: Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities: McIntosh; University of NH

LARGEST EMPLOYERS PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
 ESTABLISHED
General Electric Co. Manufacturing, meter control division 300+/-
Trelleborg Palmer-Chenard Manufacturing, rubber products 200+/-
Busy Bee Janitorial Services Janitorial services 120+/-
Wal-Mart Department store 400+/-
Somersworth School Department Education 291
Market Basket Supermarket 180
City of Somersworth Municipal services 114+/-
Velcro Hook & loop products 129+/-
The Works Athletic Club Physical fitness/wellness Center 120+/-
General Linen Laundry Facility 116

TRANSPORTATION
Road Access Federal Routes
  State Routes 108
Nearest Interstate, Exit Spalding Tpk., Exit 9
         Distance 3.5 miles
Railroad Boston & Maine
Public Transportation Yes
Nearest Airport Rochester
Runway
     4,001 feet
Lighted?
Yes
 Navigational Aids? Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Pease
Distance
15 miles

Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
 48 miles
Portland, ME
 46 miles
Boston, MA
 71 miles
New York City, NY
 279 miles
Montreal, Quebec
 285 miles

COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census)
Workers 16 years and over  
Drove alone, car/truck/van
 85.2%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
 9.3%
Public transportation
 0.8%
Walked
 2.1%
Other Means
 1.2%
Worked at home
 1.4%
Mean Travel Time to Work 23.8 minutes
Percent of Working Residents:
Working in community of residence
 20%
Commuting to another NH community
 69%
Commuting out-of-state
 11%
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RECREATION, ATTRACTIONS, AND EVENTS
X
 Municipal Parks
 YMCA/YWCA
 Boys Club/Girls Club
X
 Golf Courses
X
 Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
 Swimming: Outdoor Facility
 Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
 Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
 Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
 Bowling Facilities
X
 Museums
X
 Cinemas
X
 Performing Arts Facilities
X
 Tourists Attractions
X
 Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
 Youth Sports: Baseball
X
 Youth Sports: Soccer
X
 Youth Sports: Football
X
 Youth Sports: Basketball
X
 Youth Sports: Hockey
X
 Campgrounds
X
 Fishing/Hunting
 Boating/Marinas
X
 Snowmobile Trails
X
 Bicycle Trails
X
 Cross Country Skiing
 Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
   
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
   
Other: Heritage Festival; Pumpkin festival; Childrens Festival; Racquetball; walking trails; Baseball/Softball fields; Basketball Courts; Childrens Playground

Copyright 2005 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 07/12/05

All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications, and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the community contact.


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