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Amherst, NH

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Amherst, NH

Amherst is a town in Hillsborough County in the state of New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,753 at the 2020 census. Amherst is home to Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary, Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake.

The village of Amherst, where 697 people lived at the 2020 census, is defined as the Amherst census-designated place and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Amherst Village Historic District.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.4 square miles (89.1 km²), of which 33.9 square miles (87.8 km²) are land and 0.50 square miles (1.3 km²), or 1.49% of the total area, are water. The entire town is part of the Merrimack River watershed. The Souhegan River, an east-flowing tributary of the Merrimack, passes through the southern part of the town, and the Souhegan's tributary Beaver Brook drains the central part of town and passes through the main village. Baboosic Lake is farther north, along the eastern border of the town and is fed by Joe English Brook. The lake drains to the east into Baboosic Brook, a tributary of the Merrimack. Pulpit Brook, which drains the northeastern corner of the town, flows into Baboosic Brook as well. Witches Brook flows through the southernmost part of the town and is a tributary of Pennichuck Brook, yet another tributary of the Merrimack. Amherst's highest point is on Chestnut Hill at the town's northern border, where the elevation reaches 865 feet (264 m) above sea level.

New Hampshire Route 101 crosses the town, leading northeast into Bedford and then to Manchester, and southwest into Milford. A spur, New Hampshire Route 101A, crosses the southern part of Amherst, connecting Milford to the west with Nashua to the southeast. New Hampshire Route 122 begins at Amherst village and leads south into Hollis.

Like many towns in New England, Amherst was founded via a land grant issued to members of the colonial militia; the land grant which led to the town's foundation was issued in 1728 to veterans of King Philip's War. A colonial settlement was established at the land grant's location five years later in 1733, being initially named "Narragansett Number 3" and later "Souhegan Number 3". In 1741, the settlement's inhabitants established a Congregational church and hired a minister to preach in the settlement. On January 18, 1760, the settlement was chartered by the governor of New Hampshire Benning Wentworth, who renamed it after General Jeffery Amherst, who served as Commander-in-Chief, North America during the French and Indian War. Wentworth chartered Amherst as part of a wave of land grants he issued during the mid-18th century.

In 1770, Amherst became the county seat of Hillsborough County, due largely to its location on the county's major east-west road. It continued to prosper through the Revolutionary War and afterwards. In 1790, the southwestern section broke off and became the town of Milford, and in 1803, the northwest section departed to become Mont Vernon. The development of water-powered mills allowed Milford to grow at Amherst's expense, and the county seat was moved to Milford in 1866.

Amherst prioritizes the health and wellness of its residents, offering a variety of resources and activities to promote well-being. Residents can enjoy access to top-notch healthcare facilities such as the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in nearby Nashua, providing comprehensive medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Amherst Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fitness Bootcamp and Jazzercise. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Amherst, such as the Horse Hill Trail and Hammond Brook Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Amherst, NH include Joshua's Park, Mack Hill Riding Academy, and Ponemah Green Family Golf Center.

Population: 11,753 (2020). Area: 34.4 sq mi (89.1 km²). Elevation: 259 ft (79 m). ZIP Code: 03031. Area Code: 603.

FAQs

Is Amherst, NH a nice place to live?

Amherst is in Hillsborough County and is one of the best places to live in New Hampshire. Living in Amherst offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. In Amherst, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Residents of Amherst tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Amherst are highly rated.

What is the crime rate in Amherst, NH?

Amherst has an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Amherst is 1 in 117. Amherst's crime rate is lower than approximately 33% of New Hampshire communities.

What is the poverty rate in Amherst, NH?

In 2022, the median household income of Amherst households was $151,375. Amherst households made slightly more than South Hampton households ($151,250) and Bow households ($147,951). However, 2.3% of Amherst families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Amherst

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center 

Amherst Parks and Recreation Department 

Fitness Bootcamp 

Jazzercise

Horse Hill Trail 

Hammond Brook Trail

Joshua's Park

Mack Hill Riding Academy

Ponemah Green Family Golf Center

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

New Hampshire Demographics

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