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Durham, NH

Frequently asked questions

Durham, NH

Durham is a town in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 15,490 at the 2020 census, up from 14,638 at the 2010 census. Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire.

The primary settlement in the town, where 11,147 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Durham census-designated place (CDP) and includes the densely populated portion of the town centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 108 and Main Street, which includes the university that dominates the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.7 square miles (64.1 km²), of which 22.4 square miles (58.0 km²) are land and 2.4 square miles (6.1 km²) are water, comprising 9.50% of the town. The town is drained by the Oyster River. The highest point in Durham is Beech Hill, at 291 feet (89 m) above sea level, located on the town's northern border. Durham lies fully within the Piscataqua River (coastal) watershed.

Durham sits beside Great Bay at the mouth of the Oyster River, an ideal location for people who lived close to the land, like the Western Abenaki and their ancestors who've lived in the region for an estimated 11,000 years. The Shankhassick (now Oyster) River provided shellfish and access to the north woods for hunting and trapping; the sea provided food and access to long-established trade routes between tribes both north and south; and the open meadows provided land easy to cultivate for crops. Wecannecohunt (or Wecohamet), as the settlement was known until English settlers arrived, proved immediately attractive to them, too.

English settlers first colonized the region in 1622 when King James I granted Sir Fernandino Gorges and John Mason "all that part or porcon of that country now commonly called New-England ... between the latitude of forty and fortyeight degrees northerly latitude," including every island within 100 miles of the coast and "all the lands, soyle, grounds, havens, ports, rivers, mines, ... minerals, pearls and pretious stones, woods, queries, marshes waters, fishings, hunting, hawking, fowling, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever." Gorges and Mason agreed to split the vast tract along the Piscataqua River (still known by its Abenaki name pesgatak was, for "the water looks dark"). Gorges took the tract to the east and named it Maine. Mason took the land to west and named it New Hampshire. The region was first named "N'dakinna". It is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki peoples.

Oyster River was part of Dover throughout its first century. The Plantation was granted rights as an independent parish in 1716 and incorporated as a township in 1732 when it was renamed Durham. Rev. Hugh Adams claimed to have proposed the name "Durham" in an address to the General Assembly in 1738. Two of the earliest settlers of Dover were William and Edward Hilton, the direct descendants of Sir William de Hilton, Lord of Hilton Castle in County Durham, England, but there is nothing to prove that Durham was named in their honor.

Health and wellness are paramount in Durham, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Durham Health Center stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Durham 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 - Campus Recreation and Bootcamp. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Durham, such as the Sweet Trail and Adams Point Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Durham, NH include Wagon Hill Farm, Market & Cafe at Emery Farm, and Whittemore Center Arena.

Population: 15,490 (2020). Area: 24.7 sq mi (64.1 km²). Elevation: 50 ft (20 m). ZIP Code: 03824. Area code: 603.

FAQs

Is Durham, NH a nice place to live?

Durham is in Strafford County and is one of the best places to live in New Hampshire. Living in Durham offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals live in Durham and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Durham are above average.

What is Durham, New Hampshire known for?

Durham may be known as the hometown of University of New Hampshire’s beautiful campus (one of the greenest in the country!). In addition to being a quintessential New England college town, Durham offers so much more. Durham is located very close to Newmarket, New Hampshire, and a short drive from Dover, New Hampshire and Portsmouth, New Hampshire as well. Whether you’re visiting someone at college and want to enjoy the small town charm, or are exploring the nature trails and bodies of water, Durham is a beautiful New Hampshire town that’s certainly worth a visit. It’s also a lovely place to live!

What is the average income in Durham, NH?

Median household income in Durham, NH is $93,542. In 2022, the place with the highest median household income in Durham, NH was Census Tract 802.02 with a value of $96,250, followed by Census Tract 802.03 and Census Tract 802.04, with respective values of $52,250 and $45,391. In 2022, the median household income of the 1.43k households in Durham, NH grew to $93,542 from the previous year's value of $70,938.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Durham

Durham Health Center 

Durham Parks and Recreation Department 

Fitness - Campus Recreation 

Bootcamp

Sweet Trail 

Adams Point Trail

Wagon Hill Farm

Market & Cafe at Emery Farm

Whittemore Center Arena

Niche

Sea Coast Lately

Data USA

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