Town of Durham James Campbell, Director of Planning 15 Newmarket Road Durham, NH 03824-2898
Telephone
868-8064
Fax
(603) 868-8033
E-mail
jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us
Web Site
http://ci.durham.nh.us
Municipal Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
County
Strafford
Tourism Region
Seacoast
Planning Commission
Strafford Regional
Regional Development
Strafford Economic Development Corp.
Election Districts
US Congress
District 1
Executive Council
District 3
State Senate
District 21
State Representative
District 72
Incorporated: 1732
Origin: A parish of Dover settled in 1669 as Oyster River Plantation, Durham was incorporated in 1732. The name probably honored Richard Barnes, Bishop of Durham, England, the first Puritan bishop. A descendent of an early settler, Benjamin Thompson, bequeathed the family estate, Warner Farm, to be used for establishment of an agricultural college. The state agricultural school, originally set up in Hanover in 1866, was moved to Durham in 1890, becoming the University of New Hampshire in 1923.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 1,247 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Durham's population count includes resident students, but even so, decennial growth rates have slowed recently. Growth rates hit a high of 61 percent between 1960-1970, and have slowed since, growing by only seven percent between 1990-2000. Over fifty years, Durham's population increased by 7,894 residents, going from 4,770 in 1950 to 12,664 residents in 2000. The 2003 Census estimate for Durham was 13,080 residents, which ranked 20th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 566.8 persons per square mile of land area. Durham contains 22.4 square miles of land area and 2.4 square miles of inland water area.
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
97.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher
73.4%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income
$17,210
Median 4-person family income
$83,609
Median household income
$51,697
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$54,519
Female
$31,548
Families below the poverty level
2.8%
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1993
2003
Civilian Labor Force
5,237
6,295
Employed
5,058
6,079
Unemployed
179
216
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
3.4%
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
1993
2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
n
559
Average Weekly Wage
n
$1,140
Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
n
1,500
Average Weekly Wage
n
$487
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
1,444
2,059
Average Weekly Wage
$417
$664
Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
4,167
4,798
Average Weekly Wage
$683
$822
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
5,611
6,856
Average Weekly Wage
$615
$775
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend:
Grades K-12 are part of Oyster River Cooperative (Durham, Lee, Madbury)
District: SAU 5
Career Technology Center(s):
Dover HS; Somersworth HS; Creteau Reg. Voc. Ctr.
Region: 12
Educational Facilities
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
1
1
Grade Levels
5-8
9-12
Total Enrollment
745
750
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:6
Total Capacity:222
Nearest Community/Technical College:Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities:University of NH; McIntosh
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
University of New Hampshire
Education
4,826
Heildeberg Harris
Printing Press
300
Town of Durham
Municipal services
79
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
4
State Routes
108, 155, 155A
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-95, Exit 6
Distance
12 miles
Railroad
Boston & Maine
Public Transportation
Yes
Nearest Airport
Pease
Runway
11,321 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Pease
Distance
12 miles
Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
35 miles
Portland, ME
61 miles
Boston, MA
64 miles
New York City, NY
272 miles
Montreal, Quebec
282 miles
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
56.6%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
6.5%
Public transportation
3.6%
Walked
27.1%
Other Means
2.1%
Worked at home
4.1%
Mean Travel Time to Work
17.1 minutes
Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
46%
Commuting to another NH community
47%
Commuting out-of-state
6%
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
X
Golf Courses
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
X
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
Bowling Facilities
Museums
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
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
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock Ski Area
Other: Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/21/04
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.
