NH Town Guide

Find Your Perfect New Hampshire Town

Merrimack

Hillsborough CountyMerrimack ValleyPopulation: 26,632

Overview

Merrimack has evolved from a rural farming community into one of southern New Hampshire's most desirable towns, successfully balancing residential quality with commercial development. Located in Hillsborough County along the Merrimack River and Route 3, the town offers easy access to Manchester and Nashua while maintaining a strong community identity. Merrimack's excellent school system consistently ranks among the state's best, making it particularly attractive to families. The town's Premium Outlets and commercial corridor along Route 3 provide significant tax revenue, helping keep residential property taxes relatively moderate while funding excellent services. Merrimack offers abundant recreational opportunities, including the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conservation Area (MROECA), numerous playing fields, and community programs. The town center retains its New England character with the historic Congregational Church and town common. Merrimack's neighborhoods feature primarily single-family homes, with newer developments offering modern amenities and established areas providing mature landscaping and larger lots. The town's location provides convenient access to employment centers while offering a more residential, family-oriented atmosphere than nearby cities. For families prioritizing schools, safety, and community, Merrimack represents one of southern New Hampshire's premier choices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Top schools
  • Safe neighborhoods
  • Family-oriented
  • Good location

Cons

  • High housing costs
  • Limited downtown
  • Traffic

Climate & Environment

Summer Avg High
81.9°F
Winter Avg High
38.3°F
Annual Snowfall
44.7 in
Annual Rainfall
49.2 in
Sunny Days/Year
264
Data source: Open-Meteo / ERA5Updated 7/4/2026

Transportation & Commute

Commute to Major Cities

Boston
49 mi
~74 min drive
Manchester
12 mi
~26 min drive
Portsmouth
58 mi
~78 min drive
Concord
31 mi
~45 min drive
Data source: OpenRouteService / OpenStreetMapUpdated 7/3/2026

Economy & Demographics

💰Income

Median Household Income
$121,489
Per Capita Income
$53,049
Median Family Income
$135,426

🏠Housing Costs

Median Home Value
$378,200
Median Rent
$1,585/mo
Homeownership Rate
88.87%

💼Employment

Unemployment Rate
3.26%
In Labor Force
15,842
Work From Home
0.36%

🎓Education

Bachelor's Degree or Higher
28.97%
Total with Degree
5,597

🚗Commute

Work From Home
0.36%

👥Demographics

Median Age
41.8 years
Avg Household Size
2.64 people
Data source: Census ACS 2022 (5-Year)Census Data Year: 2022Updated 7/3/2026

Compare Merrimack with Other Towns

See how Merrimack stacks up against other NH communities.