Somersworth, NH

http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/commexp.htm Somersworth, NH Community Contact Somersworth Dept of Development Services
Robert M. Belmore
1 Government Way
Somersworth, NH 03878

Telephone 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 Tourism Region Seacoast Planning Commission Strafford Regional Regional Development Strafford Economic Development Corp.

Election Districts District 1 (All Wards) District 2 (All Wards) District 6 (All Wards) District 67 (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 2003 Census estimate for Somersworth was 11,786 residents, which ranked 25th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.

Population Density, 2003: 1,181.0 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: Blackwater, Central Park, Crocketts Crossing, Foundry, Aspen Woods, Cameron Farms, Cotton Woods

MUNICIPAL SERVICES Type of Government City Manager & Council 2004 Annual Budget $28,394,302 Zoning Ordinance 1953/04 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 Municipal 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 Mandatory Recycling Program Yes Telephone Company Verizon Cellular Telephone Access Yes Cable Television Access Yes High Speed Cable Internet Service:   Business Yes Residential Yes PROPERTY TAXES 2003 Total Tax Rate (per $1000) $24.18 2003 Equalization Ratio 74.1 2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $17.82 2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type Residential Land and Buildings 75.9% Commercial Land and Buildings 22.5% Other Property including Utilities 1.7% HOUSING 2002 Total Housing Units 4,911     2002 Single-Family Units 2,350 Building Permits Issued 23 2002 Multi-Family Units 2,066 Building Permits Issued 16 2002 Manufactured Housing Units 495

DEMOGRAPHICS Total Population Community County 2003 11,786 117,740 2000 11,477 112,233 1990 11,249 104,233 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 1993 2003 Civilian Labor Force 6,522 6,762 Employed 6,158 6,469 Unemployed 364 293 Unemployment Rate 5.6% 4.3% EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003 Goods Producing Industries   Average Employment 1,950 1,156 Average Weekly Wage $580 $790     Service Providing Industries   Average Employment 2,135 3,056 Average Weekly Wage $353 $581     Total Private Industry   Average Employment 4,084 4,212 Average Weekly Wage $461 $638     Government (Federal, State, and Local)   Average Employment 428 506 Average Weekly Wage $444 $599     Total, Private plus Government   Average Employment 4,512 4,718 Average Weekly Wage $459 $634 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 HS; Somersworth HS; Creteau Reg. Voc Ctr Region: 12

Educational Facilities Elementary Middle/Junior High High School Private/Parochial Number of Schools 2 1 1 2 Grade Levels P K 1-4 5-8 9-12 K-12 Total Enrollment 677 575 628

NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 9 Total Capacity: 367

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%

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES X Municipal Parks X 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 X Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility X 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: Pumpkin festival; Childrens Festival; Racquetball; walking trails; Baseball/Softball fields; Basketball Courts; Childrens Playground

Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 06/23/04 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. For Source Information Click Here