Derry is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 34,021. Although it is a town and not a city, Derry is the fourth most-populous community in New Hampshire.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 94.9 km2 (36.7 mi2). 92.7 km2 (35.8 mi2) of it is land and 2.3 km2 (0.9 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.40% water. Derry is drained by Beaver Brook.
This article describes the town of Derry as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the central settlement or village within the town, although that detail is included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Derry (CDP), New Hampshire.
As of the census of 2000, there are 34,021 people, 12,327 households, and 8,789 families residing in the town. The population density is 367.0/km2 (950.7/mi2). There are 12,735 housing units at an average density of 137.4 persons/km2 (355.9 persons/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 96.05% White, 0.90% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.89% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,327 households out of which 42.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 28.7% are non-families. 21.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average family size is 3.24.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $54,634, and the median income for a family is $61,625. Males have a median income of $41,271 versus $30,108 for females. The per capita income for the town is $22,315. 4.6% of the population and 3.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.0% are under the age of 18 and 7.1% are 65 or older.
Although it was first settled by Scottish-Irish families in 1719, Derry was not incorporated until 1827. It was for a long time part of Londonderry, which included Windham and portions of Manchester, Salem and Hudson. The town was named for the Isle of Derry, Ireland, the Irish word "Doire" meaning "oak woods." The first potato planted in the United States was planted here in 1719. The town is the location of two of America's oldest private schools, Pinkerton Academy, founded in 1814 and still in operation, and the closed Adams Female Seminary.
Derry was once a linen-making center until New England textile industries moved south in the 20th century. As recently as World War II, Derry was also a sleepy farming community. The post-war suburban boom, the town's proximity to Boston in the south and Manchester to the northwest, and the construction of Interstate 93 through town led to a huge population boom. Although this growth has slowed somewhat, the population of Derry still increased by 15 percent during the 1990s.
Notable Inhabitants:
Historic Sites & Museums:
Source:
DerryNewHampshire.com
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