Rochester, NH

Community Contact Rochester Department of Economic Development
Karen Pollard, Economic Devlopment Manager
31 Wakefield Street, City Hall, #203
Rochester, NH 03867-1917

Telephone 335-7522 Fax (603) 335-7585 E-mail karen.pollard@rochesternh.net Web Site www.rochesternh.net

Municipal Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

County Strafford Tourism Region Lakes Planning Commission Strafford Regional Regional Development Strafford Economic Development Corp.

Election Districts District 1 District 2 District 6 District 67

Incorporated: 1722

Origin: This town was one of four granted by Samuel Shute of Massachusetts during his brief term. It was named for a close friend of Governor Shute, Laurence Hyde, Earl of Rochester and brother-in-law to King James II. Rochester was incorporated as a city in 1891. It includes the village of Gonic, named for the Indian Squamanagona, meaning day and water.

Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 2,857 residents in 1790

Population Trends: Like many cities, Rochester's population grew slowly but had a large numeric increase. Rochester grew by a total of 14,685 residents over fifty years, the ninth largest increase, going from 13,776 in 1950 to 28,461 residents in 2000. Decennial growth rates were below average, ranging from a seven percent increase between 1990-2000 to a 24 percent increase between 1980-1990. The 2003 Census estimate for Rochester was 29,654 residents, which ranked fifth among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.

Population Density, 2003: 644.1 persons per square mile of land area. Rochester contains 44.8 square miles of land area and 0.6 square miles of inland water area.

Villages and Place Names: East Rochester, Gonic, Meaderboro Corner, Melrose Corner, North Rochester, Pickering, West Gonic

MUNICIPAL SERVICES Type of Government Council/Manager 2004 Annual Budget $74,729,425 Zoning Ordinance 1947/04 Master Plan 2001 Capitol Improvement Plan Yes Industrial Plans Reviewed By Planning Board Boards and Commissions Elected: City Council Appointed: Planning Board; Zoning Board; Library Trustees; Conservation Commission; Economic Development Commission; Industrial Development Authority Public Library East Rochester Public; Rochester Public EMERGENCY SERVICES Police Department Full-time Fire Department Full-time Town Fire Insurance Rating 4/9 Emergency Medical Service Municipal & hospital based Nearest Hospital(s): Frisbie Memorial, Rochester Distance: Local Staffed Beds: 70 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 Municipal Pay-As-You-Throw Program No Mandatory Recycling Program Voluntary 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) $18.87 2003 Equalization Ratio 97.9 2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000) $18.24 2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type Residential Land and Buildings 79.6% Commercial Land and Buildings 19.1% Other Property including Utilities 1.4% HOUSING 2002 Total Housing Units 12,109     2002 Single-Family Units 6,278 Building Permits Issued 62 2002 Multi-Family Units 3,481 Building Permits Issued -3 2002 Manufactured Housing Units 2,350

DEMOGRAPHICS Total Population Community County 2003 29,654 117,740 2000 28,461 112,233 1990 26,630 104,233 1980 21,560 85,408 1970 17,938 70,431 Census 2000 Demographics Population by Gender Male 13,838 Female 14,623 Population by Age Group Under age 5 1,929 Age 5 to 19 5,912 Age 20 to 34 5,567 Age 35 to 54 8,769 Age 55 to 64 2,450 Age 65 and over 3,834 Median Age 36.7 years Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over High school graduate or higher 82.8% Bachelor's degree or higher 15.2% ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000) Per capita income $18,859 Median 4-person family income $47,324 Median household income $40,596 Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers Male $34,290 Female $23,319 Families below the poverty level 6.3% LABOR FORCE Annual Average 1993 2003 Civilian Labor Force 14,111 15,468 Employed 12,978 14,804 Unemployed 1,133 664 Unemployment Rate 8.0% 4.3% EMPLOYMENT & WAGES 1993 2003 Goods Producing Industries   Average Employment 2,216 1,708 Average Weekly Wage $477 $773     Service Providing Industries   Average Employment 6,750 8,055 Average Weekly Wage $389 $621     Total Private Industry   Average Employment 8,965 9,763 Average Weekly Wage $411 $647     Government (Federal, State, and Local)   Average Employment 918 1,295 Average Weekly Wage $501 $604     Total, Private plus Government   Average Employment 9,883 11,059 Average Weekly Wage $419 $642 n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards

EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES

Schools students attend: Rochester operates grades K-12 District: SAU 54 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 8 1 1 2 Grade Levels P K 1-5 6-8 9-12 K-12 Total Enrollment 2,030 1,120 1,640

NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003: Total Facilities: 27 Total Capacity: 1,118

Nearest Community/Technical College: Stratham Nearest Colleges or Universities: McIntosh; University of NH

LARGEST EMPLOYERS	PRODUCT/SERVICE	EMPLOYEES	ESTABLISHED
City of Rochester	Municipal services	1,449	1891
Frisbie Memorial Hospital	Health care	802	1919
Enterasys Networks	Computer Networking	465	1989
KW Thompson Tool, Inc	Firearms/Investment Castings	600	1963
Spaulding Composities	Insulation Tubing	100	1873
Wal-Mart	Department store	210	1996
Willey Brothers	Merchandising Fixtures	225	1983
Lydall Technical Papers	Technical papers	175	1970
Home Depot	Home Supply Retailer	180	2001
WaterPik Technologies	Oil/Gas fired heating units	170	1989

TRANSPORTATION Road Access Federal Routes 202   State Routes 11, 16, 108, 125, Spaulding Tpk. Nearest Interstate, Exit I-95, Exit 12-14   Distance 20 miles Railroad NH Northcoast Public Transportation Yes Nearest Airport Rochester Runway     4,001 feet Lighted? Yes Navigational Aids? Yes Nearest Commercial Airport Manchester Distance 40 miles Driving distance to selected cities: Manchester, NH 43 miles Portland, ME 72 miles Boston, MA 76 miles New York City, NY 283 miles Montreal, Quebec 278 miles COMMUTING TO WORK (US Census) Workers 16 years and over   Drove alone, car/truck/van 82.5% Carpooled, car/truck/van 12.0% Public transportation 0.6% Walked 1.2% Other Means 1.4% Worked at home 2.3% Mean Travel Time to Work 23.7 minutes Percent of Working Residents Working in community of residence 36% Commuting to another NH community 57% Commuting out-of-state 7%

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES X Municipal Parks X YMCA/YWCA Boys Club/Girls Club X Golf Courses Swimming: Indoor Facility X Swimming: Outdoor Facility Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity X Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility X 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 X Boating/Marinas X Snowmobile Trails X Bicycle Trails X Cross Country Skiing X Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area     Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock     Other: Rochester Fair; Live performances; Moonlight madness; Opera house; Skyhaven Airport; Farmer's markets, Art galleries

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