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201309_BPL_MERRIMACK
Merrimack, NH
Shane Godfrey

Top 50 rank: 23

Population: 25,686

Merrimack is increasingly a hot spot for jobs. The town is home to military engineering firm Nanocorp, a range of startups and, soon, the headquarters of medical device manufacturer Atrium Medical. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the Anheuser-Busch factory, and a premium outlet mall opened on the outskirts of town last year, bringing new jobs and tourists.

Several parks, a strong youth-recreation program, and proximity to the Merrimack River keep residents busy year-round. --K.F.

Merrimack, NH

Town stats

Merrimack, NH

Town stats

Median family income (per year) $99,434
Job growth % (2010-2012) 4.52%
Median home price (2012) $184,764
Reading test scores (% above/below average) 4.2%
Math test scores (% above/below average) 8.2%
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) 0
Property crime incidents (per 1,000) 10

Financials

Median family income (per year) $99,434
Family purchasing power (annual, cost-of-living adjusted) $83,062
Sales tax (state) 0.00%
State income tax rate (highest bracket) 0.00%
State income tax rate (lowest bracket) 0.00%
Auto insurance premiums (Average price quotes, for the state) $1,452
Job growth % (2010-2012) 4.52%

Financials

Housing

Median home price (2012) $184,764
Average property taxes (2012) $2,394

Housing

Education

Colleges, universities and professional schools (within 30 miles) 21
Reading test scores (% above/below state average) 4.2%
Test scores math (% above/below average) 8.2%
% students attending public/private schools (located within town limits) 90.2/9.8

Education

Quality of life

Air quality index* (% of days AQI ranked as good) 88.3%
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) 0
Property crime incidents (per 1,000) 10
Median commute time (in minutes) 22.0
% population with commute 45 mins. or longer 16.6%
% population walk or bike to work 0.8%

Quality of life

Leisure and culture

Movie theaters (within 15 miles) 13
Restaurants (within 15 miles) 982
Bars (within 15 miles) 86
Public golf courses (within 30 miles) 122
Libraries (within 15 miles) 29
Museums (accredited by AAM; within 30 miles) 8
Ski resorts (within 100 miles) N.A.
Arts funding (Dollars per person of state funds spent on arts) 0.6

Leisure and culture

Weather

Annual rainfall (inches) 37.6
% clear days in the area 55%
High temp in July ° F 82.5°
Low temp in Jan ° F 12.1°

Weather

Meet the neighbors

Median age 40.2
Completed at least some college (% of residents) 67.3%
Married % 62.1%
Divorced % 7.9%
Racial diversity index (100 is national average; higher numbers indicate greater diversity) 19.6

Meet the neighbors